Unravelling time after death: A comprehensive review of multi-omics approaches in postmortem interval estimation

The estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is a cornerstone of forensic investigations, offering crucial insights into the time of death. However, traditional approaches-relying on rigor mortis, livor mortis, algor mortis, decomposition stages, and insect activity-are often hindered by environmental and biological variability, leading to inconsistent results. In recent years, multi-omics technologies, encompassing genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and microbiomics, have emerged as transformative tools to address these challenges. By integrating data across these molecular layers, multi-omics provides a more nuanced and accurate understanding of postmortem changes. This review highlights the applications of multi-omics in PMI estimation, emphasizing its ability to refine traditional methods. Additionally, the integration of machine learning and portable technologies is explored as a pathway to enhance the accessibility and accuracy of these approaches. Ethical considerations surrounding the use of sensitive molecular data in forensic contexts are also discussed. Finally, the review envisions a future shaped by interdisciplinary collaboration and continuous innovation, positioning multi-omics as a cornerstone of modern forensic science.