MXene‐Based Nanocomposites in Forensic Science: Drug Sensing, DNA Biosensing, Fingerprint Visualization, and Biomarker Identification

Novel approaches for improving the sensitivity, specificity, and flexibility of evidence analysis techniques have become feasible through integrating the two‐dimensional (2D) nanomaterials with forensic science. This review aims to comprehensively examine the structural properties of MXene‐based nanocomposites and assess their capabilities across four major forensic domains: drug sensing, DNA biosensing, latent fingerprint visualization, and biomarker identification. In addition, owing to its remarkable surface‐to‐volume ratio, adaptable chemical composition of surface, and electrical conductivity, MXenes have emerged as widely recognized nanomaterials. These properties have enabled the development of highly effective sensing platforms for multiple forensic applications, including drug residue analysis, DNA biosensing, latent fingerprint detection, and biomarker monitoring. A systematic review of peer‐reviewed literature published between 2018 and 2025 was conducted, analyzing MXene synthesis strategies (including top‐down HF etching and bottom‐up chemical vapor deposition), nanocomposite formulations (MXene‐polymer, MXene‐metal, and MXene‐carbon hybrids), and their performance metrics in electrochemical, fluorescence‐based, and SERS‐based detection platforms. Recent advancements have demonstrated the accuracy of MXene‐based electrochemical biosensing devices in detecting proteins and biomarkers—such as thrombin—as well as miRNAs and drugs, even within complex biological matrices. Key findings reveal that MXene‐based composites achieve detection limits ranging from sub‐nanomolar to low‐nanogram‐per‐milliliter levels for illicit drugs in biofluids, while MXene‐DNA hybrid hydrogels enable picomolar thrombin detection suitable for blood‐derived forensic samples. MXene nanocomposites coupled with fluorescent nanosheets also demonstrate superior latent fingerprint contrast on challenging substrates, including glass, metal, and plastic. In addition, the signal transition stability of portable forensic sensors has been improved using MXene–DNA hydrogels and MXene polymer composites. Furthermore, studies employing turn‐on fluorescence biosensors and MXene‐functionalized immunosensors demonstrate their versatility in fast and accurate sensing of genetic material and synthetic cannabinoids. Carbon‐based nanomaterials such as carbon dots and graphene further support these efforts by enabling advanced forensic imaging techniques, particularly for enhancing latent fingerprint improvements and SERS‐based analyte detections. This review highlights the recent developments in the applications of MXenes in forensic science, focusing on their ability to transform future analytical platforms. The evidence presented demonstrates that MXene‐based platforms offer superior sensitivity, portability, and selectivity compared to conventional forensic techniques, underscoring their transformative potential for next‐generation on‐site forensic analysis. The unique potential of MXenes to enable swift, sensitive, and field‐deployable diagnostic tools for forensic investigations has increased the volume for research in this domain.