To investigate which fungi can be found during forensic autopsies, a PubMed literature review was done in regard to fungal growth on decomposed human bodies. Unfortunately, the existing data is limited and not all fungi were identified to the species level. We, therefore, collected skin samples with macroscopically visible fungal growth from 23 autopsy cases in Germany and identified the fungi to the species level by molecular methods. The identified species included Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans, which pose an allergenic risk, especially to persons with underlying lung diseases. Because safety standards are lacking, we recommend the use of respiratory protection during exhumations and forensic autopsies, when fungal growth is noted. With regard to the future, a database was set up which could possibly be used as a forensic tool to determine the time of death.
We have observed three hitherto undescribed off-ladder alleles at three widely used STR loci. These were isolated, sequenced and designated as follows: allele 10 (D2S1338, one case), allele 21 (D3S1358, two cases) and allele 6.2 (D19S433, six cases). These sequences are described in comparison to non-variant alleles, and their implications for the semi-automated STR analysis will be discussed.
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