Advances in the Application of Forensic Microbiome Analysis in Tissue Source Inference

Forensic microbiology, a pivotal discipline within forensic science, focuses on microorganisms as the primary subject of study and applies life science technologies to analyze microbial evidence in criminal and civil investigations. Tissue source inference plays a crucial role in forensic investigations, facilitating case assessment and crime scene reconstruction. The application of microbiome analysis in tissue source inference benefits from the tissue specificity and spatiotemporal stability of human microbial communities. This article provides a systematic review of recent advances in tissue source inference based on microbiome analysis, covering technological development, research trends, and practical applications. Finally, the challenges confronted in practice in forensic microbiology and the future prospects for its development are summarized.