Advances in Forensic Molecular Biology and Genetics

Dear Colleagues,

Molecular biology and genetics play a crucial role in the resolution of forensic caseworks. The power of biological evidence is based on its utility for individual identification by DNA typing, not only for establishing the presence of an individual at a crime scene or to connect different crimes but also for family reconstructions, missing persons identification, etc.

In recent years, great advances have been made with the aim of improving actual methodologies and developing new ones allowing for the analysis of challenging samples in human, animal, and vegetal forensics. For example, the introduction of rapid DNA technology, next-generation sequencing, microbiome analysis, and DNA barcoding have greatly enhanced the sensitivity of analyses, expanding the range of information that may be obtained.

In addition, special attention has been afforded to the potential of DNA phenotyping, Forensic Genetic Genealogy, RNA marker analysis, non-destructive spectroscopic methods, and Artificial Intelligence.

Since biological samples may require a different analytical approach depending on their nature, quantity, and quality, choosing an adequate method is critical to obtaining reliable results.

Thus, the objective of this Special Issue is to present the state of the art of current technologies, specifically focusing on the advancements in the field.

Dr. Anna Barbaro
Guest Editor

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• nuclear and mt-DNA
• rapid DNA analysis
• next-generation sequencing
• mRNA analysis
• microbiome analysis
• barcode DNA
• time since deposition
• fluid identification
• DNA phenotyping
• DNA ancestry