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Molecular Forensics and the Genetic Foundations of Forensic Biology

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 497

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, I.P., Centre Branch, Coimbra, Portugal
2. Faculty of Medicine of Porto, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
3. LAQV&REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Interests: legal medicine
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Molecular forensics is revolutionizing the field of forensic biology by enabling highly precise identification, interpretation, and understanding of biological evidence at the molecular level. The integration of advanced technologies—such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), DNA methylation profiling, transcriptomics, and proteomics—is reshaping forensic investigations and allowing for novel approaches in the resolution of complex biological and legal questions.

This Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences focuses on research that explores the molecular and genetic basis of forensic casework. We invite original research and review articles that delve into molecular-level analyses relevant to forensic science. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to the following:

  1. Advancements in STR and SNP genotyping technologies, improving the sensitivity, accuracy, and discriminatory power of DNA profiling;
  2. Forensic applications of mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosome analysis, particularly in cases involving degraded samples or kinship testing;
  3. The role of molecular biomarkers in postmortem interval estimation, enabling more accurate temporal analyses in death investigations;
  4. Biological fluid identification, through protein-based markers and RNA profiling, microRNA;
  5. Molecular tools in sexual assault investigation, enhancing trace evidence interpretation in complex biological mixtures;
  6. Epigenetic markers and epigenomic approaches in forensic biology, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and genome-wide analyses, with applications in age estimation, tissue-specific identification, environmental exposure inference, and the contextual interpretation of biological materials;
  7. Genetic identification of cadaveric remains, including severely degraded or skeletonized samples, using advanced genomic and bioinformatic tools.
This Special Issue emphasizes contributions that provide robust molecular data and innovative methodologies. Survey-based research and partial clinical studies that lack molecular insight do not fall within the journal’s scope. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, this collection seeks to bridge fundamental molecular science with practical forensic applications, strengthening the scientific basis and evidentiary reliability of forensic investigations.

Dr. Laura Caine
Guest Editor

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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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • molecular forensics
  • forensic genetics
  • epigenetics
  • biological fluid identification
  • forensic microbiology
  • sexual assault

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

11 pages, 380 KB  
Article
Sexually Transmitted Infections: Usefulness of Molecular Methods for Microorganism Detection in Stored Sexual Assault Samples
by Laura Cainé, Ana Eira, Jennifer Fadoni, Magda Franco, Helena Correia Dias and António Amorim
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(17), 8124; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178124 - 22 Aug 2025
Viewed by 171
Abstract
Sexual assault is a global public health and human rights concern, with serious physical, psychological and reproductive consequences for survivors. Among these, sexually transmitted infections are particularly relevant due to their frequently asymptomatic nature and potential for long-term complications. The detection of sexually [...] Read more.
Sexual assault is a global public health and human rights concern, with serious physical, psychological and reproductive consequences for survivors. Among these, sexually transmitted infections are particularly relevant due to their frequently asymptomatic nature and potential for long-term complications. The detection of sexually transmitted infections in forensic settings is crucial for clinical management of victims and for evidentiary support in forensic sexual crimes investigations. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of real-time polymerase chain reaction for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Treponema pallidum in biological samples collected from victims of sexual assault and stored under routine forensic conditions, in some cases, for up to 18 years. A total of 231 swabs from 116 individuals collected between 2004 and 2017 were analysed using real-time PCR with pathogen-specific primers and fluorescent probes. The analysis revealed 13 positive samples of T. vaginalis (5.6%) and 11 of C. trachomatis (4.8%). No positive results were obtained for N. gonorrhoeae or T. pallidum. These findings demonstrate the usefulness of real-time polymerase chain reaction for detecting sexually transmitted infections in long-term preserved forensic samples. Moreover, the ability to identify pathogen DNA in archived samples highlights the potential role of molecular diagnostics in the retrospective investigation of sexual crimes, including cold cases. It underscores the value of molecular methods as a complementary tool in forensic proceedings and survivor care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Forensics and the Genetic Foundations of Forensic Biology)
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