Microbes: A New Effective Tool for Criminal Investigations

How could microbes revolutionize forensic medicine and pinpoint the time of death? A research team has identified a network of around 20 microbes specialized in the decomposition of animal flesh, opening unprecedented perspectives for criminal investigations.


For the first time, research has revealed a set of about 20 microbes that play a universal role in the decomposition of animal flesh. This discovery, made by scientists from Colorado State University and published in the journal Nature Microbiology, promises to transform forensic science by providing investigators with a more accurate way of determining the time of death.

The decomposition process is fundamental to the ecological balance of our planet. While the decomposition of plant organic waste is well understood, that of vertebrates, including humans, remains largely unknown. This study, which analyzed the decomposition of 36 corpses under various climatic conditions and seasons, has made it possible to map the microbial community involved in this process.

Jessica Metcalf, Associate Professor and lead author of the study, emphasizes the importance of these microbes, which systematically appear at decomposition sites. Their presence, independent of climate or soil type, suggests a uniform ecological mechanism. Insects play a crucial role in introducing these microbes, a fact confirmed by molecular and genomic analyses of the collected samples.

Through machine learning techniques, the researchers have developed a tool capable of accurately predicting the time elapsed since death, thereby providing invaluable assistance in criminal investigations, especially in outdoor crime scenes.

Beyond its forensic applications, this research also sheds light on other potential areas, such as agriculture and the food industry, by offering valuable insights into the microbiology of decomposition.