NATURAL TRACES aims to train the next generation of forensic scientists for non-human, biological trace evidence analysis via an international, cross-sectorial and unparalleled new network linking academia, state forensic laboratories, scientific police forces, taphonomic facilities, and private companies. The research programme will advance the sampling and evaluation of biological evidence from crime scenes in many important biological disciplines. Research will combine organismal with molecular evidence, and evaluate and validate it by using very recent and new methodologies in forensic statistics. The research will progress the forensic examination of biological traces in air, soil, single shallow and mass graves, and aquatic environments. Environmental DNA (eDNA), non-human touch DNA and microbiomes will be exploited as forensic evidence and the proposed research will assess the forensic value of such biological traces in a Bayesian framework. The latter is essential in the context of forensic expert reports that can be applied in court. 

The consortium is represented by 10 beneficiaries plus 1 one employing associated partner, 9 academic associated partners and 3 companies associated to beneficiaries.