TY - JOUR
T1 - Biowarfare, bioterrorism and biocrime
T2 - A historical overview on microbial harmful applications
AU - Oliveira, Manuela
AU - Mason-Buck, Gabriella
AU - Ballard, David
AU - Branicki, Wojciech
AU - Amorim, António
PY - 2020/9
Y1 - 2020/9
N2 - Microbial Forensics is a field that continues to grow in interest and application among the forensic community. This review, divided into two sections, covers several topics associated with this new field. The first section presents a historic overview concerning the use of microorganisms (or its product, i.e. toxins) as harmful biological agents in the context of biological warfare (biowarfare), bioterrorism, and biocrime. Each case is illustrated with the examination of case reports that span from prehistory to the present day. The second part of the manuscript is devoted to the role of MF and highlights the necessity to prepare for the pressing threat of the harmful use of biological agents as weapons. Preventative actions, developments within the field to ensure a timely and effective response and are discussed herein.
AB - Microbial Forensics is a field that continues to grow in interest and application among the forensic community. This review, divided into two sections, covers several topics associated with this new field. The first section presents a historic overview concerning the use of microorganisms (or its product, i.e. toxins) as harmful biological agents in the context of biological warfare (biowarfare), bioterrorism, and biocrime. Each case is illustrated with the examination of case reports that span from prehistory to the present day. The second part of the manuscript is devoted to the role of MF and highlights the necessity to prepare for the pressing threat of the harmful use of biological agents as weapons. Preventative actions, developments within the field to ensure a timely and effective response and are discussed herein.
KW - Biocrime
KW - Bioterrorism
KW - Biowarfare
KW - Genetics
KW - Microbial forensics
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85087965578&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110366
DO - 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110366
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85087965578
SN - 0379-0738
VL - 314
JO - Forensic Science International
JF - Forensic Science International
M1 - 110366
ER -