An Individual's Unique Germs Could Be the Fingerprint of the Future
Identical twins have the same DNA. But each—like every other individual—has a unique mix of bacteria on their hands, offering an intriguing glimpse into a future world in which a germ signature or bacteria fingerprint could potentially be used as identifying evidence.
While far from a scientifically established forensic method, researchers in a study recently reported in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences say the concept has promise, according to Discover.
Although researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder could identify computer users by their bacteria, the accuracy rate right now is only about 70 to 90 percent—not good enough for courtroom use, reports Popular Science.
The magazine suggests, however, that bacteria might point authorities to a suspect who could then be tied conclusively to a crime through other evidence.
Additional coverage:
Reuters: “People leave unique trail of germs”
Scientific American: “Your Microbes Give You Away”
