'Sexome' microbes swapped during sex could aid forensic investigations

image via New Scientist

February 12, 2025, 4:00 PM

• •Brendan Chapman and colleagues collected swabs from the genitals of 12 monogamous, heterosexual couples
• •The researchers found that the female’s bacteria were detectable in their male partners and vice versa
• •The team is now hoping to prove that an individual’s sexome is unique, like a fingerprint or DNA

A new study has found that the genital microbiome is exchanged between partners during intercourse. This could have implications for forensic investigations of sexual assault, as it could potentially be used to identify the perpetrator.

Read original article