The use of fungi in forensic science, a brief overview

Tranchida, María Cecilia; Pelizza, Sebastián Alberto; Elíades, Lorena Alejandra

doi:10.1080/00085030.2020.1869390

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Fungi are a diverse kingdom of heterotrophic eukaryotic organisms with more than 3.2 million species currently estimated, including microscopic unicellular and filamentous species [ 36 , 37 ]. The contribution of fungi to decomposition has been shown to be significant to forensic investigations [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ]. Due to their specific geographical distribution and the association of certain fungi with decomposing remains, fungi have been used in forensic investigations to establish connections between locations and individuals; this has been shown in several police reports mentioned by Hawksworth and Wiltshire [ 38 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Fungal Succession in Decomposing Swine Carcasses (Sus scrofa L.) Using DNA Metabarcoding

Gemmellaro,

Lorusso,

Domke

et al. 2023

JoF

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The decomposition of animal bodies is a process defined by specific stages, described by the state of the body and participation of certain guilds of invertebrates and microorganisms. While the participation of invertebrates in decomposing is well-studied and actively used in crime scene investigations, information on bacteria and fungi from the scene is rarely collected or used in the identification of important factors such as estimated time of death. Modern molecular techniques such as DNA metabarcoding allow the identification and quantification of the composition of microbial communities. In this study, we used DNA metabarcoding to monitor fungal succession during the decomposition of juvenile pigs in grasslands of New Jersey, USA. Our findings show that decomposition stages differ in a diversity of fungal communities. In particular, we noted increased fungal species richness in the more advanced stages of decomposition (e.g., bloat and decay stages), with unique fungal taxa becoming active with the progression of decay. Overall, our findings improve knowledge of how fungi contribute to forensically relevant decomposition and could help with the assessment of crime scenes.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Fungal Succession in Decomposing Swine Carcasses (Sus scrofa L.) Using DNA Metabarcoding

Gemmellaro,

Lorusso,

Domke

et al. 2023

JoF

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“…Fungi are known to play a role in the decomposition of human remains and have been explored as a forensic science tool (i.e., forensic mycology) [1][2][3]. Recently, one goal has been to determine whether the succession of fungal species can be used similarly to insect succession to determine the postmortem interval [4][5][6][7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification of fungi found on desiccated human remains in an arid outdoor environment

Becktell

Tucker

Özsoy

et al. 2022

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Three fungi not previously reported on desiccated human remains were identified on cadavers at the Forensic Investigation Research Station (FIRS) in Whitewater, Colorado. The location of the FIRS provides the unique opportunity to observe the stages of decomposition in a high desert environment. The two cadavers used in the study were in the late stages of decomposition (PMI of approximately 1520 and 1820 days) to the point of desiccation and had developed an extensive black crust on How to cite this article: Becktell MC, Tucker S, Ozsoy AZ, Connor M. Identification of fungi found on desiccated human remains in an arid outdoor environment.

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