The Rise of Sports Forensics: Investigating Doping, Corruption, and Identity in Modern Athletics

Abstract

The development of sports forensics as a scientific discipline is a great advancement in preserving integrity, equity, and accountability in competitive sports. This narrative review explores the integration of forensic science into the sports domain, addressing key areas such as doping detection, match-fixing investigations, injury analysis, therapeutic use exemptions, athlete identification, and the forensic validation of age and sex. The contribution of technology advancements, digital forensics, and cybersecurity towards the protection of sports data and systems is equally critically considered. Furthermore, the ethical considerations of forensic practice in the context of the LGBTQ+ population and the incorporation of anti-corruption training into sports organizations are similarly discussed. Through the examination of actual incidents and new forensic approaches, this review highlights the essential contribution of scientific research to deter fraud, manipulation, and discrimination in sport. The research concludes that a proper, evidence-based forensic system is vital to advance fairness, safeguard athlete rights, and preserve the spirit of competition in the changing context of modern sports.