A Comprehensive Overview of Bioinformatics Applications in Forensic Science Related to Omics and Odontology

Abstract

This study explores the incorporation of bioinformatics into forensic odontology, focuses on applications like tooth DNA analysis, ancestry estimate, illness detection, and age estimates. It surveys the studies, examines the benefits and drawbacks, and demonstrates how bioinformatics enhances forensic investigations using actual case studies. Future research should include computational models, validation testing, technology, and ethical issues thus advancing bioinformatics in forensic odontology for the advantage of science, public health, and justice. Forensic odontology relies on bioinformatics, which applies 'omics' techniques like genomes, epigenomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and proteomics to identify humans and animals, set postmortem intervals, and collaborate on investigations. While epigenomics and transcriptomics provide insight on gene expression patterns in tooth tissues, genetic analysis and DNA profiling enhance the accuracy of forensic dentistry. While proteomics might assist in finding possibly dangerous chemicals in biological samples, metabolomics and lipidomics could be rather useful for dental diseases and drug use patterns. Combining 'omics' with bioinformatics techniques would allow for the analysis of more complete datasets, therefore enabling more accurate measurements of lipids and proteins and a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms operating in dental diseases. By highlighting important identification and forensic application issues, bioinformatics enhances forensic odontology.