* . *
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Earth-News
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    Immersive sports and entertainment venue Cosm set to build its 5th location in Cleveland – WKYC

    Cosm Reveals Exciting Vision for Its 5th Immersive Sports and Entertainment Venue in Cleveland

    Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s Samantha Brady on the Power of the RSN’s Direct-to-Consumer Streaming Service Monumental+ – Sports Video Group

    Samantha Brady Reveals How Monumental+ is Transforming Sports Streaming with Direct-to-Consumer Access

    Moses Singer Welcomes Entertainment and Intellectual Property Partner Frederick Bimbler – Yahoo Finance

    Moses Singer Expands Team with New Entertainment and Intellectual Property Partner Frederick Bimbler

    Longhua District and Max-Matching Entertainments, supported by RWS Global forge strategic partnership to develop international IP-themed entertainment complex – Amusement Today

    Longhua District and Max-Matching Entertainments, supported by RWS Global forge strategic partnership to develop international IP-themed entertainment complex – Amusement Today

    Government whip to withdraw Entertainment Complex Bill on July 9 – Nation Thailand

    Government whip to withdraw Entertainment Complex Bill on July 9 – Nation Thailand

    Magicians and Battlebots light up Las Vegas entertainment scene – KSNV

    Magicians and Battlebots Take Las Vegas Entertainment by Storm

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    SMPTE Opens Early Bird Registration for Media Technology Summit – TVTechnology

    SMPTE Launches Early Bird Registration for Exciting Media Technology Summit

    Google Fiber puts Nokia network slicing technology to the test – Fierce Network

    Google Fiber Puts Nokia’s Network Slicing Technology to the Ultimate Test

    Kaseya Extends Community Investment with Addition of Technology Marketing Toolkit – Kaseya

    Kaseya Extends Community Investment with Addition of Technology Marketing Toolkit – Kaseya

    AI and the Trust Revolution: How Technology Is Transforming Human Connections – Foreign Affairs

    AI and the Trust Revolution: How Technology Is Transforming Human Connections – Foreign Affairs

    Technology And Construction Names Join Top Stock Lists: Check Out Additions To IBD 50, Big Cap 20 And More – Investor’s Business Daily

    Technology and Construction Leaders Surge Into Top Stock Rankings: See the Latest Additions to IBD 50, Big Cap 20, and More

    Column: Teach kupuna new technology skills – Honolulu Star-Advertiser

    Empowering Kupuna: Unlocking New Technology Skills for a Connected Future

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    Immersive sports and entertainment venue Cosm set to build its 5th location in Cleveland – WKYC

    Cosm Reveals Exciting Vision for Its 5th Immersive Sports and Entertainment Venue in Cleveland

    Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s Samantha Brady on the Power of the RSN’s Direct-to-Consumer Streaming Service Monumental+ – Sports Video Group

    Samantha Brady Reveals How Monumental+ is Transforming Sports Streaming with Direct-to-Consumer Access

    Moses Singer Welcomes Entertainment and Intellectual Property Partner Frederick Bimbler – Yahoo Finance

    Moses Singer Expands Team with New Entertainment and Intellectual Property Partner Frederick Bimbler

    Longhua District and Max-Matching Entertainments, supported by RWS Global forge strategic partnership to develop international IP-themed entertainment complex – Amusement Today

    Longhua District and Max-Matching Entertainments, supported by RWS Global forge strategic partnership to develop international IP-themed entertainment complex – Amusement Today

    Government whip to withdraw Entertainment Complex Bill on July 9 – Nation Thailand

    Government whip to withdraw Entertainment Complex Bill on July 9 – Nation Thailand

    Magicians and Battlebots light up Las Vegas entertainment scene – KSNV

    Magicians and Battlebots Take Las Vegas Entertainment by Storm

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    SMPTE Opens Early Bird Registration for Media Technology Summit – TVTechnology

    SMPTE Launches Early Bird Registration for Exciting Media Technology Summit

    Google Fiber puts Nokia network slicing technology to the test – Fierce Network

    Google Fiber Puts Nokia’s Network Slicing Technology to the Ultimate Test

    Kaseya Extends Community Investment with Addition of Technology Marketing Toolkit – Kaseya

    Kaseya Extends Community Investment with Addition of Technology Marketing Toolkit – Kaseya

    AI and the Trust Revolution: How Technology Is Transforming Human Connections – Foreign Affairs

    AI and the Trust Revolution: How Technology Is Transforming Human Connections – Foreign Affairs

    Technology And Construction Names Join Top Stock Lists: Check Out Additions To IBD 50, Big Cap 20 And More – Investor’s Business Daily

    Technology and Construction Leaders Surge Into Top Stock Rankings: See the Latest Additions to IBD 50, Big Cap 20, and More

    Column: Teach kupuna new technology skills – Honolulu Star-Advertiser

    Empowering Kupuna: Unlocking New Technology Skills for a Connected Future

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
Earth-News
No Result
View All Result
Home Science

Forensic Breakthrough: Predicting Time of Death With Microbiology

February 12, 2024
in Science
Forensic Breakthrough: Predicting Time of Death With Microbiology
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Analyzing Microbes Art Concept Illustration

A groundbreaking study has identified a universal set of microbes responsible for decomposing animal flesh, providing a potential new tool for determining the time of death in forensic investigations. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

Research reveals a consistent microbial network involved in animal decomposition, promising advancements in forensic science and beyond, with implications for accurately estimating time of death and potential applications in agriculture.

For the first time, researchers have identified what appears to be a network of approximately 20 microbes that universally drive the decomposition of animal flesh. The findings have significant implications for the future of forensic science, including the potential to provide crime scene investigators with a more precise way to determine a body’s time of death.

“It’s really cool that there are these microbes that always show up to decompose animal remains,” said Colorado State University Associate Professor Jessica Metcalf, the senior author on the new work published this week in the journal Nature Microbiology. “Hopefully, we’re busting open this whole new area of ecological research.”

Understanding Decomposition

Decomposition of dead biological material is one of Earth’s most fundamental processes. Organic plant waste accounts for the vast majority of matter that is decomposed, a process that is relatively well understood. Comparatively little, however, is known about the ecology of vertebrate decomposition, including humans, and a better understanding of how humans decompose has the potential to advance forensic science.

This new study, a multi-year undertaking funded by the National Institute of Justice, involved decomposing 36 cadavers at three different forensic anthropological facilities — the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Sam Houston State University; and Colorado Mesa University. The bodies were decomposed in different climates and during all four seasons. The research team then collected skin and soil samples during the first 21 days for each decomposing body.

Metcalf and her colleagues generated a significant amount of molecular and genomic information from the samples. They then used that information to construct an overall picture of the “microbial community,” or microbiome, present at each site. “Essentially,” Metcalf said, “what microbes are there, how did they get there, how does that change over time and what are they doing.”

Consistent Microbial Community Across Conditions

Surprisingly, she said, regardless of climate or soil type, researchers found the same set of approximately 20 specialist decomposing microbes on all 36 bodies. What’s more, those microbes arrived like clockwork at certain points throughout the 21-day observation period, and insects played a key role in their arrival. “We see similar microbes arrive at similar times during decomposition, regardless of any number of outdoor variables you can think of,” Metcalf said.

Implications for Forensic Science

Identifying the decomposing microbiome’s consistent makeup and timing has important implications for forensic science.

Using machine learning techniques and data from the new study, as well as previous work, Metcalf and her collaborators — David Carter, professor of forensic sciences at Chaminade University of Honolulu, and Rob Knight, director of the Center for Microbiome Innovation at the University of California San Diego — built a tool that can accurately predict a body’s time since death, also known as the postmortem interval.

“When you’re talking about investigating death scenes, there are very few types of physical evidence you can guarantee will be present at every scene,” Carter said. “You never know if there will be fingerprints, or bloodstains or camera footage. But the microbes will always be there.”

What’s more, these microbes can be particularly useful, Carter said, under the types of conditions examined in the new study. “We’re talking about outdoor death scenes,” he said. “It can be difficult to gather information in those types of investigations.”

The director of the National Institute of Justice, Nancy La Vigne, views the research as particularly promising. “One of the principal questions of any death investigation is ‘when did this person die?’” La Vigne said. “This continuing line of NIJ-funded research is showing promising results for predicting the time of death of human remains, aiding in the identification of the decedent, determining potential suspects and confirmation or refutation of alibis.”

In addition to identifying the universal decomposers, the research team also attempted to determine where this microbial community came from. Notably, Metcalf said, they couldn’t find the microbes in soil microbiome databases or catalogs of human skin and gut microbiomes. They did, however, find the universal decomposers on insects. “It seems like the insects are bringing the microbes in,” Metcalf said.

Other Research Applications

These latest findings build on more than a decade of work by Metcalf, Carter, and Knight, including an early study that involved decomposing mice on different soils in a controlled lab setting as well as a follow-up that involved decomposing four cadavers at the Sam Houston State facility. Zach Burcham, a former CSU postdoctoral student in Metcalf’s lab, helped lead the latest work.

“This research was a huge collaborative effort from a diverse team of highly knowledgeable scientists — a shining example of what can be accomplished when interdisciplinary teams join forces towards a common goal,” Burcham said. “This dataset is truly one of a kind, with broad-ranging impacts from microbial ecology to forensic science.”

In addition to the forensic applications, Metcalf sees other opportunities to put this new information to use. “I see a lot of potential applications across agriculture and food industries,” said Metcalf, who is in CSU’s Department of Animal Sciences.

Metcalf also intends to expand her research in this field, including potentially looking at the differences in the microbial ecology of small and large vertebrates. “I feel like we’re opening a whole lot of avenues in basic ecology and nutrient cycling,” Metcalf said.

Reference: “A conserved interdomain microbial network underpins cadaver decomposition despite environmental variables” 12 February 2024, Nature Microbiology.
DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01580-y

>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : SciTechDaily – https://scitechdaily.com/forensic-breakthrough-predicting-time-of-death-with-microbiology/

Tags: BreakthroughForensicscience
Previous Post

370 Million Tons – Landmark Study Uncovers New Source of Carbon Emissions

Next Post

Arjan Bhullar kickstarts road to redemption at ONE 166: Qatar

ECOLOGY ACTION CENTER – Ad from 2025-07-06 – The Pantagraph

See How the Ecology Action Center is Revolutionizing Environmental Change

July 10, 2025
Climate Disasters Like Texas Floods Moving Faster Than Science Can Keep Up – The Energy Mix

Climate Disasters Like Texas Floods Moving Faster Than Science Can Keep Up – The Energy Mix

July 10, 2025
The Best Science Fiction Novels to Read Right Now – The New York Times

Top Science Fiction Novels You Can’t Miss Right Now

July 10, 2025
This is the Summer of CoAqua. CoAqua Isn’t Just a Coconut Water — It’s a Lifestyle Brand That Disrupted the Hydration Game with Bold Flavors, Design-Forward Packaging, and a Good Mission – Nosh.com

This is the Summer of CoAqua. CoAqua Isn’t Just a Coconut Water — It’s a Lifestyle Brand That Disrupted the Hydration Game with Bold Flavors, Design-Forward Packaging, and a Good Mission – Nosh.com

July 10, 2025
Manchester United hope new stadium will host 2035 World Cup final, aim to finish project in 5 to 6 years – The New York Times

Manchester United hope new stadium will host 2035 World Cup final, aim to finish project in 5 to 6 years – The New York Times

July 10, 2025
Alaska is America’s worst state for business in 2025 as falling oil prices sink economy – CNBC

Alaska Braces for Toughest Business Climate in 2025 Amid Plummeting Oil Prices

July 10, 2025
Access Health CT expects significant drop in insurance enrollees as aid ends, Medicaid cut – CT Insider

Access Health CT Faces Steep Drop in Insurance Enrollments After Aid and Medicaid Reductions

July 10, 2025
The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics – Politico

Top Cartoonists Bring This Week’s Political Drama to Life

July 10, 2025
SMPTE Opens Early Bird Registration for Media Technology Summit – TVTechnology

SMPTE Launches Early Bird Registration for Exciting Media Technology Summit

July 10, 2025
Barstool Sports announces roster for Internet Invitational at Big Cedar Lodge – Springfield News-Leader

Barstool Sports announces roster for Internet Invitational at Big Cedar Lodge – Springfield News-Leader

July 10, 2025

Categories

Archives

July 2025
MTWTFSS
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031 
« Jun    
Earth-News.info

The Earth News is an independent English-language daily published Website from all around the World News

Browse by Category

  • Business (20,132)
  • Ecology (714)
  • Economy (737)
  • Entertainment (21,626)
  • General (15,814)
  • Health (9,774)
  • Lifestyle (744)
  • News (22,149)
  • People (739)
  • Politics (747)
  • Science (15,955)
  • Sports (21,236)
  • Technology (15,722)
  • World (720)

Recent News

ECOLOGY ACTION CENTER – Ad from 2025-07-06 – The Pantagraph

See How the Ecology Action Center is Revolutionizing Environmental Change

July 10, 2025
Climate Disasters Like Texas Floods Moving Faster Than Science Can Keep Up – The Energy Mix

Climate Disasters Like Texas Floods Moving Faster Than Science Can Keep Up – The Energy Mix

July 10, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

Go to mobile version