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Investigative and Predictive Forensic Microbiology

  • 1st Edition - September 1, 2026
  • Latest edition
  • Editor: Hirak Ranjan Dash
  • Language: English

Investigative and Predictive Forensic Microbiology showcases the latest advancements in microbial technology for forensic applications, covering a wide range of topics in forens… Read more

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Description

Investigative and Predictive Forensic Microbiology showcases the latest advancements in microbial technology for forensic applications, covering a wide range of topics in forensic microbiology. Sections explore human normal microflora, cover classical methods of analyzing microbes, discuss microbial tools in forensic medicine that address post-mortem analysis, and delve into microbial biomarkers for estimating time of death. Investigative microbiology topics include analyzing body fluids, geolocation prediction using microbes, ancient microbial DNA analysis, biodefense, and emerging infections.

The book's final section focuses on challenges and future approaches, covering statistical interpretation of data, regulatory considerations, and ethical implications of forensic microbiology. With contributions from renowned experts in the field, this book is a comprehensive resource for researchers and practitioners in microbiology, genetics, forensic science, and for law enforcement professionals and advanced students.

Key features

  • Describes the fundamentals of forensic microbiology
  • Explains and summarizes the technological advancements in the field of forensic microbiology
  • Includes examples and historic case studies related to the application of microbial forensics

Readership

Researchers, academics, advanced undergraduates, graduates, and post-graduates in microbiology, forensic science, and genetics; forensics practitioners

Table of contents

PART I. INTRODUCTORY FORENSIC MICROBIOLOGY

1. Human Normal Microflora. Scope and Forensics Applications

2. Classical Methods of Analyzing Microbes

3. Metagenomics Approach of Investigating Microorganisms of Human Body

4. Useful Molecular Microbiological Tools and Techniques

5. An Overview of Human Microbiome Project (HMP) And Soil Microbiome Project (SMP). A Precursor of Investigative Microbiology

6. Application of Microbiology in the Investigation of Historical Cases

PART II. ADVANCED TECHNIQUES OF ANALYZING MICROBES

7. MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry. A Useful Tool in Detecting Microbes

8. q. A Valuable Tool for Detection and Enumeration of Microflora

9. Use Of Next Generation Sequencing Approach of Microbial Analysis

10. Microarray Based Detection of Microorganisms

11. Bioinformatic Tools and Techniques Useful for Investigation of Microorganisms

12. Application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Forensic Microbiology

PART III. BIODEFENSE AND EMERGING INFECTIONS

13. Emerging Infectious Bacteria as a National Threat

14. Emerging Pathogenic Virus as a Potential Bioterrorism Agent

15. Identification of Causative Agent. Investigation Process of a Suspected Bioterrorist Attack

16. Bioterrorism. Epidemiological and Microbiological Investigations

17. Threat of Microbial Toxins as a Bioterrorism Agent

18. Tools and Techniques of Analyzing Microbial Toxins of Forensic Interest

19. Phytopathology, Agroterrorism and the Potential Microbial Agents

20. Microbial Exploitation of Food Safety

PART IV. MICROBIAL TOOL IN FORENSIC MEDICINE

21. Thanatomicrobiome Analysis to Estimate Post-Mortem Time Interval (PMI)

22. Utilization of Microorganisms in Investigating Drowning Cases

23. Exploitation of Dysbiosis Phenomenon for the Analysis Cause and Manner of Death

24. Microbial Investigation of the Unexplained Death Cases

25. Importance of Microbial Testing in Establishing Cause of Death

26. Microbial Succession of Oral Microbiota to Estimate PMI

27. Potential Microbial Biomarkers for Estimation of PMI

28. Deciphering the Cause of Infectious Death in Outbreaks. A Forensic Perspective

PART V. INVESTIGATIVE MICROBIOLOGY

29. Detection of Forensically Relevant Body Fluids by Analysis of Microflora

30. Analysis of Time Since Deposition of Body Fluid Stains Using Microflora

31. Individualistic Microflora. A Useful Tool for Forensic Analysis

32. Prediction Of Geolocation of an Individual by Analyzing Microbes

33. Insights from Paleomicrobiology. An Analysis of Ancient Microbial DNA (aDNA)

34. Investigation of Sexual Assault Cases Using Microflora

35. Estimation of Age of an Individual by Microflora

36. Emerging Microbial Techniques for Environmental Forensics

PART VI. CHALLENGES AND FUTURISTIC APPROACHES

37. Considerations and Statistical Interpretation of Microbial Forensic Data

38. Challenges pf Microbial Sampling for Forensic Analysis

39. Regulations of Microbial Agents and Potential Challenges

40. Microbial Degradation of Forensic Biological Exhibits. Impediments and Solutions

41. Microbial Forensics Data in the Context of Forensics

42. Microbial Repositories and Microbial Databases Useful for Forensic Research

43. Standardization of Microbial Metagenomics Workflow for Forensic Analysis

44. Ethical Considerations and Legal Implications of Forensic Microbiology

Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Published: September 1, 2026
  • Language: English

About the editor

HD

Hirak Ranjan Dash

Dr. Hirak Ranjan Dash is an Assistant Professor of Forensic Biotechnology at the National Forensic Sciences University, Delhi Campus, India. He obtained his PhD degree in Life Science from the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India. Previously, he served as a DNA expert at Forensic Science Laboratory, Madhya Pradesh, India. His research interests include forensic microbiology, microbial phylogeny, forensic DNA analysis, genetic markers, and next generation sequencing. He has published 50 research papers and 9 books. He has previously received a research fellowship from the Indian Academy of Science. He is a pioneer in India working on NGS-based forensic DNA analysis. He is a life member of the Association of Microbiologists of India, International Society of Forensic Geneticists, and Asian Federation of Biotechnologists.

Affiliations and expertise
Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Science, National Forensic Sciences University, Delhi Campus, New Delhi, India