Forensics Microbiome Database
The Forensic Microbiome Database (FMD) is a unique resource that enables the visualization and comparison of 16S rRNA human microbiome data obtained from multiple body sites with metadata as it relates to forensics. The goal of the FMD is to predict the geographical location of subjects using human microbiome data.
As part of this award, we actively continue to update the database with publicly available 16S rRNA microbiome data and we are expanding the dataset through the inclusion of paired oral and stool microbiome samples from 100 healthy adult females each residing in Hong Kong, Barbados, Chile, and two sites in South Africa. The addition of these large size datasets will strengthen our geolocation prediction model and incorporate multiple currently underrepresented geographical locations worldwide.
Publications
Frontiers in microbiology. 2021-03-23; 12.644861.
Forensic Microbiome Database: A Tool for Forensic Geolocation Meta-Analysis Using Publicly Available 16S rRNA Microbiome Sequencing
Forensic science international. Genetics. 2017-09-01; 30.141-147.
Integrating the microbiome as a resource in the forensics toolkit
Funding
This project was supported by Award No.2015-R2-CX-K036 awarded by the Office of Justice Programs; National Institute of Justice, Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this website are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice or grant-making component.
