Atomic force microscopy in human post-mortem samples: current applications and future directions

Abstract Nanotechnologies are increasingly being explored in forensic science, including Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), a scanning probe technique capable of high-resolution surface analysis and quantitative nano-mechanical assessment. AFM can be applied to both inert materials and biological specimens; this narrative review focuses on human post-mortem samples. We aimed to summarize current AFM applications in this setting and to outline realistic directions for future research. A structured search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science identified five studies consistent with our predefined focus. The available evidence addressed mainly bone, skeletal muscle, tendinous tissue, and hair. Bone studies investigated local mechanical properties relevant to fracture susceptibility, supporting the rationale for extending AFM to forensic scenarios such as the differentiation between perimortem trauma and post-mortem damage and the assessment of thermally altered remains. Studies on skeletal muscle and iliotibial band highlighted the influence of tissue water content on mechanical parameters, with implications for experimental designs targeting Post Mortem Interval. Hair analyses were primarily conducted on mummified remains, reporting structural differences between contemporary samples and mummified hair. These findings support further research adopting a comparative framework across different historical periods and site-specific environmental conditions. Overall, AFM appears promising for the characterization of post-mortem tissues, including substrates that remain underexplored in forensic research—such as skin, which has already been widely investigated in clinical settings. However, the current evidence base is constrained by small sample sizes, high costs, and substantial methodological heterogeneity. Future studies should therefore prioritize standardized protocols and multicentre designs to strengthen forensic applicability.