Overview
Microbial forensics is a scientific discipline dedicated to analyzing evidence from a bioterrorism act, biocrime, or inadvertent microorganism or toxin release for attribution purposes. This emerging discipline seeks to offer investigators the tools and techniques to support efforts to identify the source of a biological threat agent and attribute a biothreat act to a particular person or group. Microbial forensics is still in the early stages of development and faces substantial scientific challenges to continue to build capacity. The unlawful use of biological agents poses substantial dangers to individuals, public health, the environment, the economies of nations, and global peace. It also is likely that scientific, political, and media-based controversy will surround any investigation of the alleged use of a biological agent, and can be expected to affect significantly the role that scientific information or evidence can play. For these reasons, building awareness of and capacity in microbial forensics can assist in our understanding of what may have occurred during a biothreat event, and international collaborations that engage the broader scientific and policy-making communities are likely to strengthen our microbial forensics capabilities. One goal would be to create a shared technical understanding of the possibilities - and limitations - of the scientific bases for microbial forensics analysis. Science Needs for Microbial Forensics: Developing Initial International Research Priorities, based partly on a workshop held in Zabgreb, Croatia in 2013, identifies scientific needs that must be addressed to improve the capabilities of microbial forensics to investigate infectious disease outbreaks and provide evidence of sufficient quality to support legal proceedings and the development of government policies. This report discusses issues of sampling, validation, data sharing, reference collection, research priorities, global disease monitoring, and training and education to promote international collaboration and further advance the field. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction: What Is Microbial Forensics and Why Is It Important? 2 Microbial Science: Ecology, Diversity, and Characterizing the Microbial World 3 Microbial Forensics and Clinical and Public Health Considerations: Commonalities and Differences 4 Clinical and Forensic Approaches to Microbial Identification 5 Sampling and Preservation Methods 6 Validation and Reference Materials for Microbial Forensics 7 Bioinformatics and Data 8 Findings and Conclusions: Initial Prioritized Science Needs for Microbial Forensics References Appendix A: Committee Biographies Appendix B: Convening Organizations Appendix C: Agenda Appendix D: List of Participants Appendix E: List of Presentations Appendix F: Speaker Biographies
Full Product Details
Author: National Research Council ,
Division on Earth and Life Studies ,
Board on Life Sciences ,
Committee on Science Needs for Microbial Forensics: Developing an Initial International Roadmap
Publisher: National Academies Press
Imprint: National Academies Press
Dimensions:
Width: 15.20cm
, Height: 1.50cm
, Length: 22.90cm
Weight: 0.422kg
ISBN: 9780309302456
ISBN 10: 0309302455
Pages: 252
Publication Date: 25 August 2014
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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