Circular RNA (circRNA) are single-stranded closed RNAs (ssRNAs) which largely exist in eukaryotes, bacteria, viruses, viroids, and other organisms. Although circRNAs have the same primary structure as linear RNA, it is not easily degraded by ribonuclease R(RNase R). CircRNAs are highly stable in living organisms which possesses tissue-, cellular type- and developmental stage-specific. CircRNAs are proved to be as diagnostic markers in different diseases including cancers and cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, circRNAs are becoming research hotspots in forensic medicine fields. This review briefly summarizes the structure and function of circRNAs, pays more attentions to the new progress of research and application in forensic medicine, including age estimation, body fluids identification, forensic psychiatric evaluation, forensic toxicology analysis, estimation of postmortem interval and cause of death.

Circular RNA; miRNA sponges; Forensic medicine; Forensic pathology; Forensic genetics; Estimation of postmortem interval