Trichloronitromethane(TCNM) is a typical halogenated nitrogenous disinfection by-products formed during the treatment of drinking water. It is greatly paid by scholars nowadays due to the increasingly stringent drinking water quality standards. Based on the latest research achievements at home and abroad, the analytical techniques and formation mechanism of TCNM were introduced, and influence factors of TCNM formation were reviewed. The prospective research trends were also discussed so as to provide new ideas for further development to resolve the contamination problems caused by TCNM in drinking water.