The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide expert advice on some of the most pressing challenges facing the nation and world. Our ...

Extreme weather conditions can make reconstructing the scene of a crime more difficult. Nick Thompson/iStock via Getty Images Plus What happens to a dead body in an extremely cold environment? Does it ...

For the first time, researchers have identified what appears to be a network of approximately 20 microbes that universally drive the decomposition of animal flesh. The findings have significant ...

Crime documentaries and courtroom dramas offer only a glimpse into the complex world of forensic science. While DNA analysis plays a key role in identifying suspects or victims, the scope of ...

During the presidential campaign, Barack Obama said his administration would "expand the U.S. government's bioforensics program for tracking the source of any biological weapon so that the U.S. will ...

Getting an accurate estimate of when someone died is a critical part of forensic investigations. In extremely cold conditions, molecular biology can provide critical information that the naked eye ...

Decaying corpses can be completely unrecognizable with peeling skin, bloated abdomens, seeping liquids, and a foul smell. Microbes are one of the key architects of this process. A body’s organic ...

A recent study has explored the potential forensic applications of microbial signatures transferred between sexual partners. Researchers in Australia found that unique bacterial traces remain ...