Our bodies probably contain a slightly greater number of microbial cells than there are body cells. These microbes are collectively termed the human microbiome. This plays a huge role in keeping us healthy. Given the association between humans and our individual microbiomes, we each have our own unique ‘microbial fingerprint’.
The detection of the specific combination of microbes linked to a particular individual can be used to confirm an individual’s identity. This information is especially useful in the absence of DNA evidence. An individual microbiome can also indicate whether someone was present at a particular location, or touched an object or surface of interest. Our microbiomes change after we die, thus providing a method of determining when, or sometimes even the manner in which, someone died. This area of research is still very new but has great potential to enhance the power of forensic science.
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