Microbial Forensics is a rapidly evolving scientific discipline. In the last decade, and particularly due to the anthrax letter attacks in the United States, microbial forensics has become more formalized and has played an increasingly greater role in crime investigations. This has brought renewed interest, development and application of new technologies, and new rules of forensic and policy engagement. It has many applications ranging from biodefense, criminal investigations, providing intelligence information, making society more secure, and helping protect precious resources, particularly human life. A combination of diverse areas is investigated, including the major disciplines of biology, microbiology, medicine, chemistry, physics, statistics, population genetics, and computer science.

Microbial Forensics 2^nd Edition is fully revised and updated and serves as a complete reference of the discipline. It describes the advances, as well as the challenges and opportunities ahead, and will be integral in applying science to help solve future biocrimes.

Microbial Forensics, Second Edition

PART 1: INVESTIGATIVE GENETICS

Criminal

The Kameido anthrax incident: A microbial forensics case study
Microbial Forensic Investigation of the Anthrax-Letter Attacks

Civilian

Foodborne Outbreaks: What’s New, What’s Not, and Where Do We Go from Here?
Genotype and Geography
The Global Distribution of Bovine Tuberculosis
Tracing Meat Products Through Production and Distribution Chain from Farm to Consumer
Microbial Forensics of RNA Viruses: Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus
Forensic Plant Pathology

PART 2: EMERGING INFECTIONS

Influenza Forensics
Keeping Track of Viruses
Microbial Forensic Analysis of Trace and Unculturable Specimens
Molecular Microbial Surveillance and Discovery in Bioforensics

PART 3: BIOSECURITY

Assessment of the Threat
The Select Agent Regulations
Biosurety in the Post-9/11 Era
Forensic public health: epidemiologic & microbiologic investigations for biosecurity

PART 4: SUBJECT AREAS

Forensic Analysis in Bacterial Pathogens
Rickettsia and Coxiella
Forensics and Epidemiology of Fungal Pathogens
Ricin Forensics: Comparisons to Microbial Forensics
Forensic Aspects of Biologic Toxins

PART 5: METHODS

The Use of Host Factors in Microbial Forensics
Collection and Preservation of Microbial Forensic Samples
Sampling for Microbial Forensic Investigations
Toxin Analysis Using Mass Spectrometry
Electron Beam-Based Methods for Bioforensic Investigations
Proteomics Development and Application for Bioforensics
High-throughput Sequencing
Genomics
The Design of Genomic Signatures for Pathogen Identification and Characterization
Non-Biological Measurements on Biological Agents
Inferential Validation and Evidence Interpretation
Microbial Forensic Investigations in the Context of Bacterial Population Genetics
Population Genetic Considerations in Statistical Interpretation of Microbial Forensic Data
Biorepositories and their Foundations - Microbial Forensic Considerations

PART 6: NATIONAL LEVEL CAPABILITIES

A U.S. Research Strategy for Microbial Forensics: From Genesis to Implementation
The National Bioforensic Analysis Center
Microbial Forensics in Australia - The Australian Federal Police Perspective
Validation of Microbial Forensics in the Scientific, Legal and Policy Contexts

PART 7: MICROBIAL FORENSICS CURRICULA AND TRAINING

Microbial Forensics: Educating the Workforce and the Community
So You Really Want to be an Expert Witness? A Primer for the Occasional Expert Witness
Conclusion - Microbial Forensics, What Next?

"The second edition of Microbial Forensics provides a comprehensive overview of this emerging field, highlighting how epidemiological investigations must be conducted to provide evidence that can be used in legal proceedings where attribution is key. The book provides valuable insights into investigations of prior attempts to spread disease intentionally and needed guidance for investigating future incidents. This book will be of great value to microbiologists and epidemiologists as well as to law enforcement officials for bringing emerging molecular methodologies into investigations of disease outbreaks, especially those that are intentional criminal and terrorist acts."
—Dr. Ronald M. Atlas, University of Louisville, KY, USA

Publish Date: 2011
Format: 7.5" x 9.5" hardcover
Pages: 744
Publication Weight: 4 lbs