Forensic Science News

"Uncovering the Microbial Secrets of Decomposing Corpses for Forensic Science"

A study published in Nature Microbiology reveals that the microbiome of decomposing human corpses contains a consistent profile of around 20 key decomposers, regardless of location, climate, or season. These microbes, a mix of bacteria and fungi, appear in a wave-like fashion during the 21-day decomposition period, and a machine learning model using their abundances can calculate the postmortem interval with high accuracy. The findings could aid forensic investigations, although further research is needed for real-world application, especially in scenarios such as buried or submerged bodies.