Novel Insights into Forensic Genetics
A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Genetics and Genomics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 46
Special Issue Editors
Interests: legal medicine; forensic genetics; clinical risk management; forensic pathology; sudden death; sudden cardiac death; autopsy; forensic medicine; suicide
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: forensic and legal medicine; forensic genetics; gender violence; violence against women; sexual abuse; maltreatment; gender medicine; gender inequality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: molecular forensics; forensic entomology; taphonomy; water forensics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The purpose of this Special Issue is to consider innovations in the field of forensic genetics. We, the Editors, propose the first innovation. We ask the authors to consider how genetics, in a broad sense, i.e., no longer just genetics applied to personal identification, can be a valuable tool for answering questions that often remain unanswered in the forensic field. Our challenge is to consider genetics not only for classical identification purposes (study of human DNA polymorphisms) but also for broadening its application to the following:
- Identification of causes of death through the molecular autopsy, considering also the analysis of the microbiome;
- Identification of the nature of traces found at the crime scene;
- Evaluation of the post-mortem interval through the analysis of the microbiome or other molecular information;
- Identification of phenotypic traits, ancestry, and lifestyle useful for investigative purposes through genetic investigations on human or microbial DNA;
- Post-mortem molecular diagnosis (i.e., molecular autopsy) in challenging forensic contexts, such as sudden death of infants and the young;
- Interaction of genetic/epigenetic variables with other factors of medico-legal interest, such as use of licit/illicit substances;
- Use of genetic evidence in criminal and civil proceedings, also as a line of defense;
- Ethical and legal issues connected to genetic data.
Dr. Simone Grassi
Dr. Sarah Gino
Dr. Paola A. Magni
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Genes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- forenscic genetics
- molecular autopsy
- forensic omics
- post-mortem genetic testing
- legal medicine
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
