POSTMORTEM MICROBIOME: THE ROLE OF "MICROBIAL CLOCKS" IN ESTIMATING THE TIME SINCE DEATH

Annotatsiya

Postmortem microbiome analysis has emerged as a promising frontier in forensic science, offering novel insights into the estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI). The concept of the “microbial clock” refers to the predictable temporal succession of microbial communities that colonize and decompose the human body after death. This study explores the dynamics of postmortem microbial shifts across various anatomical sites and environmental conditions, highlighting their potential as reliable biomarkers for PMI estimation. Following death, the cessation of immune function and physiological regulation facilitates rapid microbial proliferation and translocation, primarily driven by endogenous gut microbiota. These microbial communities undergo systematic compositional changes influenced by intrinsic factors such as body condition and extrinsic variables including temperature, humidity, and burial context.  Advancements in high-throughput sequencing technologies, particularly 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomic approaches, have enabled precise characterization of microbial taxa and their functional profiles throughout decomposition stages. Statistical modeling and machine learning algorithms further enhance the predictive accuracy of microbial succession patterns, supporting the development of robust forensic tools. However, variability introduced by environmental heterogeneity and individual microbiome differences remains a significant challenge.  This paper underscores the importance of standardizing sampling protocols and integrating multi-omics data to improve reproducibility and accuracy