The culprit of a crime can be betrayed by fingerprints. Or by his DNA. But soon, scientists may also be able to exploit the microbial fingerprints it leaves on his clothes. The myth of the perfect crime is getting a little further away…
At a crime scene, the so-called scientific police today collect many elements likely to reveal the culprit. Biological fluids, footprints or fingerprints. And perhaps soon, researchers at Murdoch University (Australia) are telling us today, about microbial fingerprints on clothing.
Microbes specific to each individual
In 2021, a European team had already started to explore this avenue. The researchers then showed the existence of a “tactile microbiome”. Understand, a population of bacteria specific to each individual and present on their skin. The experts had also studied how these microorganismsmicroorganisms can be deposited and persist on surfaces such as glass.
Did you know ?
Forensic microbiology began in the early 2000s. Today it is used to identify individuals after death, understand their health status before death, determine how and why people died and since how long, etc.
In a new study published by the National Library of Medicineforensic science experts are now showing how these populations of bacteriabacteria present on a person’s skin leaves traces on their clothes. Traces that remain for at least six months. And which allow the wearer of the clothing to be uniquely identified.
Clothes and bacteria at the heart of the criminal investigation
The experiments carried out by the researchers prove that it is possible to identify a person with certainty from the bacteria found on a t-shirt. That it is even possible to know if the t-shirt was really worn by said person or if it was only left near a worn t-shirt. Enough to offer a few additional weapons to investigators in their quest for the truth.
