The Forensic Science of the Future: A Journey through Omics Technologies

Abstract

The field of forensic science has seen remarkable progress with the development of various omics technologies. The review report examines six major omics technologies — genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics — as well as their applications in forensic science. Genomics can identify individuals through DNA profiling, ancestry determination, and physical characteristics prediction. Epigenomics offers insights into DNA modifications that can aid in determining age and identifying body fluids. Transcriptomics provides a comprehensive overview of gene expression patterns in forensic research. Proteomics helps to identify body fluids, analyze post-translational modifications, and detect protein biomarkers. Metabolomics provides information on metabolic profiles for toxicology, drug analysis, and post-mortem investigation. Microbiomics uses microbial communities as evidence markers to estimate postmortem intervals and identify individuals. These omics technologies significantly expanded the capabilities of criminal science, improved the accuracy and efficiency of investigations, and ultimately contributed to the pursuit of justice and truth. Omics technologies have tremendous potential for forensic science, and continuing research is revealing novel methods to use these techniques for forensic applications in criminal investigations. In this review, we will give an overview of the current status of six major omics technologies in forensics, emphasizing recent research and developments in the area and evaluating the prospects of this fascinating and rapidly developing topic. We will also discuss the potential benefits and prospects associated with AI-driven microbiome analyses for enhancing the precision of postmortem interval (PMI) estimation. This review highlights various advancements that major omics have contributed to the forensic sciences and law enforcement.