Forensic genetics and genomics: Much more than just a human affair
2017
Arenas M. | Pereira F. | Oliveira M. | Pinto N. | Lopes A.M. | Gomes V. | Carracedo A. | Amorim A. | CIIMAR - Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental
While traditional forensic genetics has been oriented towards using human DNA in criminal investigation and civil court cases, it currently presents a much wider application range, including not only legal situations sensu stricto but also and, increasingly often, to preemptively avoid judicial processes. Despite some difficulties, current forensic genetics is progressively incorporating the analysis of nonhuman genetic material to a greater extent. The analysis of this material—including other animal species, plants, or microorganisms—is now broadly used, providing ancillary evidence in criminalistics in cases such as animal attacks, trafficking of species, bioterrorism and biocrimes, and identification of fraudulent food composition, among many others. Here, we explore how nonhuman forensic genetics is being revolutionized by the increasing variety of genetic markers, the establishment of faster, less error-burdened and cheaper sequencing technologies, and the emergence and improvement of models, methods, and bioinformatics facilities. © 2017 Arenas et al.
Show more [+] Less [-]We also thank Christopher Phillips, Rui Pereira, Luis Alvarez, and Helena Machado for helpful comments on an earlier version of this study.
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