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Microbial traces and their role in forensic science
Mateusz Speruda1, Agata Piecuch1, Justyna Borzęcka1
1Department of Mycology and Genetics, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland.
Journal of Applied Microbiology
|December 26, 2021
Summary
Forensic microbiology analyzes microbial communities in dead bodies to aid criminal investigations. These microbial changes help estimate time since death and identify the cause or location of death.
Area of Science:
- Forensic microbiology, also known as the microbiology of death, is an emerging scientific discipline.
- This field leverages the study of microbial communities associated with death and decomposition.
Background:
- Forensic microbiology is underutilized in criminal investigations, particularly when conventional methods fail.
- Microbiological and mycological analyses offer valuable insights in complex cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review significant achievements in forensic microbiology, focusing on the thanatomicrobiome and epinecrotic communities.
- To highlight the application of microbial analyses in forensic science.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the thanatomicrobiome (microbes in body/fluids post-mortem) and epinecrotic community (microbes on decaying corpses).
- Modern identification relies on metagenome analysis and 16S rRNA/ITS rRNA gene sequencing.
- Traditional cultivation methods are accurate but time-consuming.
Main Results:
- Changes in microbial species composition provide crucial information for criminal investigations.
- Microbial analysis is primarily used for estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI).
- Microbial shifts can help determine the cause or location of death and link suspects to crime scenes.
Conclusions:
- Forensic microbiology offers powerful tools for criminal investigations, complementing traditional methods.
- Understanding thanatomicrobiome and epinecrotic communities is key to unlocking forensic insights.
- Advancements in sequencing technologies enhance microbial identification, though cultivation remains relevant.
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