Using microbiome tools for estimating the postmortem interval

Deel, Heather L.; Bucheli, Sibyl R.; Belk, Aeriel D.; Ogden, Sam C.; Lynne, Aaron M.; Carter, David; Knight, Rob; Metcalf, Jessica L.

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-815379-6.00012-x

Cited by 12 publications

(19 citation statements)

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“…To date, there are more than 10 peer-reviewed articles that support the science behind the use of microbiome data sets for estimating PMI [11,12,[14][15][16]18,21,22,28,33,43,45], including several that provide preliminary error rates [11,12,18,31]. Furthermore, the use of microbiome data to estimate PMI has been published in two textbooks [41,42], and is being added to a third edition of Microbial Forensics [5] that is underway. Additionally, researchers have connected with the forensic community through numerous domestic and international presentations, workshops, and webinars [40,[46][47][48][49][50].…”

Section: Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Decomposition is a continuous process, so these stages are arbitrary, but provide a useful way to organize significant taphonomic landmarks during decomposition. During the fresh stage, major landmarks include rigor mortis (stiffening of muscles), livor mortis (blood pooling), algor mortis (body temperature equilibrating with environment), and appearance of blow fly eggs [5]. During the stages of bloated/early decomposition/active decay, fermentation and proteolysis [6] lead to changes in skin color, gas builds up from microbial fermentation, fluids purge/leak due to bloat pressure, and blow fly larvae hatch and form maggot masses [2,3,5,7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the final stages of dry, remains, and skeletonization, soft tissues are dry or no longer present, and insect and scavenging activity is low [2,4]. A comprehensive review of human decomposition taphonomic landmarks can be found in Deel et al [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In cases in which robust growth curves for larvae development exist, accuracy can be within hours of the PMI [9]. However, this approach can be limited in indoor environments that exclude insects and seasons with low insect activity, and errors can be introduced due to misinterpretation of maggots as the oldest cohort when older cohorts have completed their lifecycle [5,10]. For a full review of biological approaches used to predict PMI, see Deel et al [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, this approach can be limited in indoor environments that exclude insects and seasons with low insect activity, and errors can be introduced due to misinterpretation of maggots as the oldest cohort when older cohorts have completed their lifecycle [5,10]. For a full review of biological approaches used to predict PMI, see Deel et al [5]. Because each approach is generally most accurate for a particular time frame (Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Estimating the postmortem interval using microbes: Knowledge gaps and a path to technology adoption

Metcalf

2019

Forensic Science International: Genetics

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Microbes have potential to be used as physical evidence for forensic science because they are ubiquitous and have predictable ecologies. With the advent of next generation sequencing technology and the subsequent boost to microbiome science (study of the genes and molecules of microbial communities), it has become possible to develop new microbial-based tools for forensic science. One promising approach is the use of microbial succession during the ecological process of decomposition to estimate the time since death, or postmortem interval (PMI). This microbial clock of death is developed by building a regression model using microbiome data collected from postmortem samples (e.g. swab of skin) with known PMIs. In a death investigation, a similar sample type (e.g. swab of skin) would be collected, the microbes profiled using DNA sequencing, and the microbes would be matched to a point on the clock (i.e. the regression model). Recent research by several independent scientific teams has provided a proof of concept for this new microbiome forensic tool. However, developing and transitioning new forensic science technologies into the justice system requires overcoming scientific, investigative, and legal hurdles. In this article, I address the apparent knowledge gaps in the science of microbiome technology to estimate PMI, and discuss a path for bringing this technology into the justice system.

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Section: Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Estimating the postmortem interval using microbes: Knowledge gaps and a path to technology adoption

Metcalf

2019

Forensic Science International: Genetics

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Massively parallel sequencing is unlocking the potential of environmental trace evidence

Young

Linacre

2021

Forensic Science International: Genetics

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Massively parallel sequencing (MPS) has revolutionised the field of genomics enabling substantial advances in human DNA profiling. Further, the advent of MPS now allows biological signatures to be obtained from complex DNA mixtures and trace amounts of low biomass samples. Environmental samples serve as ideal forms of contact trace evidence as detection at a scene can establish a link between a suspect, location and victim. Many studies have applied MPS technology to characterise the biodiversity within high biomass environmental samples (such as soil and water) to address questions related to ecology, conservation, climate change and human health. However, translation of these tools to forensic science remains in its infancy, due in part to the merging of traditional forensic ecology practices with unfamiliar DNA technologies and complex datasets. In addition, people and objects also carry low biomass environmental signals which have recently been shown to reflect a specific individual or location. The sensitivity, and reducing cost, of MPS is now unlocking the power of both high and low biomass environmental DNA (eDNA) samples as useful sources of genetic information in forensic science. This paper discusses the potential of eDNA to forensic science by reviewing the most explored applications that are leading the integration of this technology into the field. We introduce novel areas of forensic ecology that could also benefit from these tools with a focus on linking a suspect to a scene or establishing provenance of an unknown sample and discuss the current limitations and validation recommendations to achieve translation of eDNA into casework.

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