USING AQUATIC MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES FOR FORENSIC SITE IDENTIFICATION: INSIGHTS FROM PHYTOPLANKTON AND DIATOM STUDIES

Aquatic microbial communities—particularly phytoplankton and diatoms—have emerged as precise and reliable bioindicators for forensic site identification. This review offers a comprehensive synthesis of advancements in traditional microscopy, molecular techniques (such as environmental DNA and metabarcoding), artificial intelligence (AI)-driven analysis, presenting an integrative framework for the field of forensic hydroecology. By examining the habitat specificity, structural resilience, and taxonomic richness of these microbial groups, we evaluate their applicability in both drowning diagnosis and the analysis of aquatic trace evidence. The review also highlights recent methodological progress, representative case studies, and persistent challenges, including cadaver relocation, ecological variability, and the lack of standardized forensic protocols. Looking forward, we emphasize the need for global reference databases, AI-assisted species identification with improved model interpretability, and GISintegrated spatial forensics. By bridging ecological complexity with forensic requirements, this review proposes a unified, interdisciplinary approach to advance microbial applications in legal investigations.