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Investigators in two NIJ-supported studies have demonstrated that people carry unique microbial communities on their skin, and traces of those communities, left on touched objects, can be linked to the individual.
Trace evidence refers to materials transferred between people, objects, or the environment during a crime. This evidence can help investigators develop leads, indicating (or excluding) potential suspects or locations for further scrutiny. Trace evidence encompasses a wide range of natural and manufactured materials.
Traditional trace evidence includes:
