Salivary microbiome as a forensic identifier: role in human tracing and activity reconstruction

The salivary microbiome is an emerging area of interest in forensic science, due to its potential insights into human activity patterns, health, and behaviour. Traditionally, the salivary microbiome was limited to oral health; however, current research indicates that the salivary microbiota profile may serve as a supplementary biological marker for forensic investigations. This article conveys information about how different diets, lifestyles, and the environment influence microbial populations in saliva and may provide insight into personal habits and lifestyles. This review further combines research on the application of the salivary microbiome in estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI) and in ancestry inference based on population-specific microbial composition. Based on literature reviews, this article examines both the advantages and limitations of salivary microbiome analysis as an innovative technology across a broader spectrum of disciplines, from criminology to medicine.