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New Microbial Network Discovery Enhances Forensic Science

Researchers have identified a consistent set of microbes that decompose animal flesh, offering a more accurate method for determining time of death.

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Analyzing Microbes Art Concept Illustration
Stock image of a crime scene investigation. Scientists have discovered a set of microbes that are found on all dead bodies, at appear at the same time in the process of decomposition.
Decomposing Human Corpses Have Been Found To Share One Curious Characteristic

Overview

  • A groundbreaking study has identified a universal set of approximately 20 microbes responsible for decomposing animal flesh, promising advancements in forensic science.
  • The consistent microbial network found across different climates and seasons could provide crime scene investigators with a more precise way to determine a body’s time of death.
  • Machine learning techniques, combined with the study's findings, have led to the development of a tool that can accurately predict the postmortem interval.
  • The discovery opens new avenues in ecological research, with potential applications in agriculture and food industries.
  • Insects play a key role in transporting these decomposing microbes to animal remains, suggesting a natural mechanism behind the microbial arrival.