Most forensic research that is used to better understand how to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI) entails the study of the physiochemical characteristics of decomposition and the effects that environmental factors have on the decomposition process. Forensic entomology exploits the life cycles of arthropods like Diptera (blow flies or flesh flies) and Coleoptera (beetles) deposited on the decaying carcass to determine PMI. Forensic taphonomy, from the Greek word taphos meaning burial, studies the creation of the fossils of decomposed cadavers to ascertain information as to the nature and time of death. Compared to other areas of taphonomy, there have been relatively few forensic science studies that have investigated the impact of human decomposition on the microbial changes occurring on or in a corpse or in the soil communities underneath a body. Such research may facilitate the critical determination of PMI. Therefore, the scope of this review is to provide a concise summary of the current progress in the newly emerging field of microbial diversity and the next-generation metagenomic sequencing approaches for assessing these communities in humans and in the soil beneath decomposing human.

Microbial communities associated with human decomposition and their potential use as postmortem clocks

Decomposition is degradation process of a corpse into basic respective constituents macroscopically and microscopically by action of microorganisms, arthropods and scavengers. Post mortem changes could be separated into early post mortem changes (i.e. algor mortis, rigor mortis and livor mortis) and putrefaction stages of corpse. These changes function as suitable indicators for determination of post mortem interval (PMI). In this paper, different stages of post mortem changes, possible variations such as mummification and formation of adipocere and special circumstances such as burial condition is discussed. This article also refers to several arguments in the different texture of adipocere and the influence of different types of fabric in affecting the post mortem changes and formation of adipocere. This is largely due to the property of permeability and resistance of material against degradation process. Undeniably, decomposition process involves numerous potential variables including burial condition, presence of clothing, potential formation of adipocere and mummification. Hence, studies in forensic taphonomy combined with real case scenario are crucial in understanding the nature of decomposition and estimation of PMI with higher accuracy.

Decomposition Process and Post Mortem Changes: Review

Potential applications of soil microbial ecology and next-generation sequencing in criminal investigations

Postmortem radiology is a rapidly developing specialty that is increasingly used as an adjunct to or substitute for conventional autopsy. The goal is to find patterns of disease and possibly the cause of death. Postmortem CT images bring to light processes of decomposition most radiologists are unfamiliar with. These postmortem changes, such as the formation of gas and edema, should not be mistaken for pathological processes that occur in living persons. In this review we discuss the normal postmortem thoraco-abdominal changes and how these appear on CT images, as well as how to differentiate these findings from those of pathological processes.

Normal pediatric postmortem CT appearances

Cemeteries in Nigeria have never been perceived as having a significant potential contamination to the environment and are often located within residential setups. This work presents a study of special interest, because up till now, there are no known publications in the north-eastern states of Nigeria that investigated the relationship between cemeteries and the natural environment. The objective was to investigate whether burial practices affect the groundwater within the vicinity of an active municipal cemetery in the Gwange area of the Maiduguri metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria. Groundwater quality measurement from boreholes located at varying radial distances from the cemetery was also conducted. The result was compared with that of WHO and showed evidence of attenuation with distance. The method of burial is a chemical-free method and dictated by local culture in the area. The site is underlain by a sedimentary rock of the Chad Formation and is characterized by coarse-grained soils of high permeability coefficient (1.04 × 10−4–2.38 × 10−4 cm/s). The soil sample was composed of 3.2 to 8.4% fines which fall beneath the standard of 30% that is considered adequate for natural attenuation of contaminants. The soils were poorly graded and exhibit non-plastic properties. The grave invert, being predominantly higher than 1 m, seems to have significantly influenced the low levels or the absence of contaminants especially cations in the groundwater sample. The high levels of pH (9.5), EC (1874 μs/cm), NO3 (67.4 mg/l), NO2 (0.92 mg/l), PO4 (344.5 mg/l), and NH4 (1.03 mg/l) in groundwater samples (especially the cemetery borehole) are an indication that higher interment density over time presents a significant threat to groundwater quality.

Burial practice and its effect on groundwater pollution in Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Post mortem changes are important in estimating post mortem interval (PMI). This project's aim was to study the effect of burial and type of clothing on rate of decomposition, which can contribute to estimating PMI for victims. 12 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) carcasses were separated into 3 groups: no clothing, light clothing and heavy clothing. Control subjects were placed on the ground surface while test subjects were buried at 30 cm depth graves. Soil samples prior and after decomposition were collected for soil pH and moisture analysis. Post mortem change was assessed using a Total Body Score system. The head, neck and limb regions were found to decay faster than the body trunk region. Mummifi cation occurred on body parts that were exposed directly to the atmosphere while adipocere formed on some buried subjects. Burial delayed decomposition due to lower insect activity and lower soil temperature. The soil layer also blocked the accessibility of majority of the arthropods, causing further delay in decomposition. Clothing enhanced decay for bodies on ground surface because it provided protection for maggots and retained moisture on tissues. However, clothing delayed decomposition in buried bodies because it physically separated the bodies from soil and arthropods. Higher sun exposure and repetitive exhumation showed acceleration of decomposition. The decomposition process increased soil pH and moisture percentage values. Soil pH initially increased until pH 8.0-8.4 followed by a slight decrease while soil moisture percentage changed inconsistently. Burial was significant in affecting post mortem change, F(1,11)=12.991, p<0.05 while type of clothing was not significant, F(2,9)=0.022, p=0.978 and combination of both type of clothing and burial factors were also not significant, F(2,3)=0.429, p=0.686. For validation, an accuracy of 83.33% was achieved based on soil pH and soil moisture percentage analysis.

/pdf/post-mortem-changes-in-relation-to-different-types-of-53qhj5e740.pdf

Post mortem changes in relation to different types of clothing.

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Post mortem changes in relation to different types of clothing.