Techniques and Applications of Forensic Molecular Biology: From Pathology to Clinical Practice

Dear Colleagues,

Forensic molecular biology applies genetic analysis techniques to identify individuals and investigate biological evidence in both legal and medical contexts. Central to this field is DNA analysis, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), short tandem repeat (STR) profiling, and mitochondrial DNA sequencing, which allow accurate identification even from minimal or degraded samples. These methods are widely used in forensic pathology to determine cause of death, identify victims, and link suspects to crime scenes. Beyond the forensic setting, molecular biology techniques also play an important role in clinical practice, supporting the diagnosis of genetic diseases, infection tracking, and personalized medicine. The integration of forensic and clinical applications highlights the interdisciplinary nature of molecular biology, combining genetics, pathology, and bioinformatics. As technologies continue to advance, forensic molecular biology is becoming increasingly precise, rapid, and reliable, strengthening its impact on justice systems and healthcare while raising important ethical and legal considerations regarding data use and privacy. 

This Special Issue is led by Dr. Angelo Montana and assisted by Dr. Emina Dervišević (University of Sarajevo).

Prof. Dr. Angelo Montana
Guest Editor

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