Microbial Forensic – An Investigative Approach

Abstract

The study of microbes' sources can aid in the investigation of bioterrorism, biocrimes, and cases of disease outbreaks. Microbial Forensics is a new discipline within the field of forensic science. As bacteria have been used as biological weapons for ages, anthrax letter attacks were very popular in 2001 and posed a serious threat to the general public. Even though there aren't many examples of this kind, it's still important to catch the offender. In this subject, forensic science and microbiology are combined to serve the criminal justice system. Microbial forensics is a new field that examines evidence from bioterrorism, biocrimes, and the intentional or accidental release of biological agents or poisons for attributional purposes. Microbe investigation is similar to forensic science, but in order to maintain the viability of the microorganisms, collection, preservation, and transportation must be different. To determine the source of the causative agent, it also employs cutting edge methods including molecular signatures, new DNA fingerprinting techniques, and other hyphenated methods. In addition to assisting the medical community's specialists, this field also aids judges and juries in their deliberations. Microbial forensics has to advance more in order to handle the issues posed by bioterrorism assaults.