A Pilot Study of Microbial Succession in Human Rib Skeletal Remains during Terrestrial Decomposition.

ABSTRACT: The bones of decomposing vertebrates are colonized by a succession of diverse microbial communities. If this succession is similar across individuals, microbes may provide clues about the postmortem interval (PMI) during forensic investigations in which human skeletal remains are discovered. Here, we characterize the human bone microbial decomposer community to determine whether microbial succession is a marker for PMI. Six human donor subjects were placed outdoors to decompose on the soil surface at the Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science facility. To also assess the effect of seasons, three decedents were placed each in the spring and summer. Once ribs were exposed through natural decomposition, a rib was collected from each body for eight time points at 3 weeks apart. We discovered

SUBMITTER: Deel H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8386422 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature