Forensic Materials: Design, Mechanisms, Evaluation, and Translational Applications

Forensic science has relied on established techniques such as powder-based fingerprint development, fiber comparison, and ballistic analysis. However, these approaches are challenged by complex substrates, low signal-to-noise ratios, and evolving evidentiary standards. Advances in materials science, particularly in nanotechnology, surface chemistry, and spectroscopy, offer transformative solutions for improving detection sensitivity and analytical reliability. Nanostructured materials, including metal-organic frameworks, graphene-based systems, biopolymers, and functionalized nanoparticles, enable enhanced selectivity in trace evidence analysis and advanced spectroscopic tools improve reproducibility and interpretation. Within this context, forensic science is evolving toward an integrated framework that combines materials chemistry with evidence interpretation across forensic chemistry, toxicology, trace evidence, genetics, and pathology. Despite these advances, a critical need remains for systematic integration of material design, mechanistic insight, and forensic validation to support robust, legally defensible outcomes.The primary goal of this Research Topic (RT) is to advance forensic science through the integration of modern materials design, mechanistic understanding, and evidence interpretation, thereby enhancing the sensitivity, selectivity, and reliability of forensic analyses. Current methodologies often rely on empirical approaches that lack mechanistic insight and perform inconsistently across complex substrates and environmental conditions.This RT collection aims to address these limitations by promoting studies that elucidate structure-property-performance relationships in forensic materials, including nanostructures, hybrid systems, and bio-derived materials. Recent advances in nanotechnology, luminescent probes, spectroscopy, and AI-assisted analysis provide new opportunities to optimize forensic workflows and data interpretation. We particularly encourage interdisciplinary contributions spanning forensic chemistry and toxicology, trace evidence analysis, fingerprint detection, molecular biology and genetics, as well as pathology and medicolegal investigation. Studies addressing decision-making, bias, and legal admissibility are also welcome, with the aim of creating a unified, materials-driven and legally robust framework for real-world forensic applications.This Research Topic explores the interface of forensic science, materials chemistry, and evidence interpretation, integrating experimental, analytical, and legal perspectives. We invite contributions on the design, evaluation, and forensic application of advanced materials, with particular emphasis on nanostructured systems for evidence detection. Key themes include latent fingerprint development using conventional and nanostructured agents; mechanistic studies of surface-interface interactions; metal-organic frameworks and luminescent probes; and advanced materials such as graphene for ballistic analysis. Submissions are also encouraged in forensic chemistry and toxicology (drug and environmental analysis), trace evidence characterization (glass, paint, GSR, fibers) using spectroscopy and chemometrics, as well as forensic genetics, molecular biology, bloodstain analysis, and pathology. Interdisciplinary studies addressing decision-making, bias, legal admissibility, and innovations in instrumentation and data analysis are welcome. Manuscripts may include original research, reviews, case studies, and translational perspectives. Contributions are invited in areas including: • Traditional forensic methods challenged by complex substrates, evolving standards • Nanotechnology and spectroscopy improve sensitivity, selectivity, reliability • MOFs, graphene, nanoparticles enhance forensic detection performance • Integrated framework linking chemistry, genetics, pathology, interpretation • Interdisciplinary advances enable robust, legally defensible forensic outcomes Topic editors: Jingbo Louise Liu, Sanela Martic Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83842/forensic-materials-design-mechanisms-evaluation-and-translational-applications