Geneticist Eran Elhaik at Lund University has developed an AI-based tool designed to support forensic investigations. The technology uses environmental DNA (eDNA) to help determine geographical origin from trace biological material.
“The use of environmental DNA opens up a new dimension for law enforcement agencies. It can improve accuracy and shorten the processing time in investigations,” says Eran Elhaik.
Environmental DNA refers to all genetic material naturally present in a specific location. Every environment – from city streets and public transport to forests and lakes – contains a unique mix of DNA from organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and pollen. When people come into contact with surfaces, soil, or objects, they can unknowingly collect traces of environmental DNA on their skin. In a forensic context, this could help indicate where a person has been. The same principle can also be used to trace the geographical history of objects.
Today, forensic investigations primarily focus on fingerprints and human DNA profiles in the hope of matching them to police databases. However, these samples also contain large amounts of environmental DNA, which is currently not routinely analyzed.
“For example, the police could obtain geographical information about a bomb, a drone, or drugs,” says Eran Elhaik.
Although environmental DNA is an emerging research field, it has not previously been applied in forensic science. Elhaik’s AI-based tool enables asking questions such as where an object originated, when it was present at a given location, or whether different drug seizures may share a common production site.
Global efforts to map environmental DNA are already underway through the international consortium MetaSUB, which is building a database of microbial genetic material from cities worldwide. While not designed for law enforcement, the project provides a foundation for understanding urban microbial ecosystems. Through his involvement in MetaSUB, Elhaik developed the idea of combining environmental DNA analysis with forensic applications. With his start-up Microdentify Sweden AB, he aims to bring the technology into practical use in criminal investigations.
“The new technology can also have a strong deterrent effect that can help increase safety in society,” he says.
So far, Stockholm is the only Swedish city included in the global mapping project. However, Elhaik and colleagues – supported by university students – have now collected hundreds of samples from Malmö, Lund, and Gothenburg. Results from this study are expected later this year.
“We are now refining our tools to identify specific neighborhoods in Malmö, to improve crime prevention work,” says Elhaik, who is also collaborating with Malmö Police.