In recent years saliva has attracted much interest amongst researchers especially in the field of Forensic sciences. This body fluid is gaining popularity due to its ease of collection, safety in handling, and its close relationship with plasma. Analysis of saliva for serological testing and cellular content has proved to be of wide use in crime detection, drug and alcohol abuse, hormone identification, cases of poisoning and bites. In the present moment there is a need for Forensic laboratories to automate the settings specific for saliva as routinely done for blood or urine in order to consider saliva as the primary investigating tool in absence of other body fluids. This update is aimed at highlighting the many uses of saliva in the practice of Forensic Sciences. © 2013 Sociedade Portuguesa de Estomatologia e Medicina Dentária.