Forensic Biology

Forensic Biology is a sub-discipline of forensic science. It applies the knowledge of biology to identify and analyse the biological evidence obtained from the scene of a crime or from victim or suspect(s) to establish the fact that a crime has taken place. The field of forensic biology deals with the examination of the evidence pertaining to living beings, and their associated biological materials, commonly found at the scene of a crime. It is a broad discipline which includes various areas of specialization such as DNA analysis, forensic anthropology, forensic pathology, forensic entomology, forensic odontology, forensic botany, forensic serology, and forensic microbiology. This deals with the following works:

• Examination, identification, of biological fluids like blood, urine, semen, sweat, saliva, milk, tears, juice, and determining their origin either come from human, plant or animal source.

• Examination and identification of materials like wood, hair, fiber, faecal matter, nails, bones, teeth, leaves, seeds, pollen, and other plant materials.

• Examination and identification of diatoms in the water, human viscera, and food items.

Determination of the group of blood, semen, sweat, saliva if found to be of human origin.

Determination of paternity and maternity of an individual by DNA profiling.

• Determining the time since death by examining the bones, and teeth.

• Determining the age and sex of human being by examining the skeletal remains.

• Determining the time since death, and manner of death by examining the insects found on and near the deceased