Unveiling the Forensic Potential of Oral and Nasal Microbiota in Post-Mortem Interval Estimation.

ABSTRACT: Microbiota have emerged as a promising tool for estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI) in forensic investigations. The role of oral and nasal microbiota in cadaver decomposition is crucial; however, their distribution across human cadavers at different PMIs remains underexplored. In this study, we collected 88 swab samples from the oral and nasal cavities of 10 healthy volunteers and 34 human cadavers. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we conducted comprehensive analyses of the alpha diversity, beta diversity, and relative abundance distribution to characterize the microbial communities in both healthy individuals and cadavers at varying PMIs and under different freezing conditions. Random forest models identified Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, Actinobac

SUBMITTER: Chen J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11989810 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature