Treacherous microbes

New forensic tool: the sexome and its traces

Microbes exchanged during sex could support forensic investigations in the future.(Bild: Tinnakorn)

Fluids are apparently not the only thing we exchange during sexual intercourse: A recent research shows that after sex, people also leave behind remnants of the unique microbiome of their genitals, the so-called sexome. This could prove very useful for solving crimes in the future.

The microbiome refers to the entirety of all microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi or viruses that live in and on us - it is estimated that there are around one quadrillion in healthy humans, which is around ten times more than we have body cells. Most microorganisms are found in our intestines, which are therefore often referred to as the second brain, but they can also be found on our skin, mucous membranes, teeth - and even in and on our genitals. This could be very useful for forensic investigations into sexual assaults in the future.