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                            Library & Multimedia
 Microbial succession in human rib skeletal remains and fly-human microbial transfer during decomposition
NCJ Number
              305035

Author(s)
          Heather Leigh Deel
Date Published

2022
Length
              124 pages
Annotation
              This dissertation provides the first quantitative estimate of postmortem interval of terrestrially decomposed human skeletal remains using microbial abundance information.
Abstract
              Human decomposition is a dynamic process partially driven by the actions of microbes. The microbial communities that facilitate decomposition change in a predictable, clock-like manner, making it a forensic tool for estimating postmortem interval. Chapter 1 also describes which sample types are most useful for predicting postmortem interval based on the stage of decomposition. During fresh and early decomposition, microbial succession of the skin and soil sample types are most predictive of postmortem interval; however, after approximately the first three weeks of decomposition, the changes in the microbial communities that are used for predictions begin to slow down and the skin and soil sample types become less useful for estimating postmortem interval. Chapter 2 shows that microbial succession of the bone microbial decomposer communities can be used for estimating postmortem interval during the advanced and skeletonization stages of decomposition and summer seasons at the Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science Facility.  Chapter 3 of this dissertation focuses on the influence of the blow fly (Calliphoridae) microbiome on human cadaver microbial community assembly. First, Chapter 3 shows the characterization of the blow fly microbiome by organ and season in a terrestrial, human decomposition environment.  Results showed that the previously defined universal fly microbiome persists even in a decomposition environment, with notable differences still present between organs and seasons. Additionally, results from using the tool SourceTracker2 showed that the labellum and tarsi act as substantial bacterial sources of the human decomposer bacterial community, and this source contribution varies by season.
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2018-R2-CX-0018


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Thesis/Dissertation


  
  
        
  Award
        Estimating the Postmortem Interval at Longer Timescales Using Bone
    
  
  
Date Published: January 1, 2022
    
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