Forensic Ecogenomics: The Application of Microbial Ecology Analyses in Forensic Contexts

Forensic Ecogenomics: The Application of Microbial Ecology Analyses in Forensic Contexts provides intelligence on important topics, including environmental sample provenance, how to indicate the body decomposition timeline to support postmortem interval (PMI) and postmortem submersion interval (PMSI) estimates, and how to enhance identification of clandestine and transit grave locations. A diverse group of international experts have come together to present a clear perspective of forensic ecogenomics that encapsulates cutting-edge, topical and relevant cross-disciplinary approaches vital to the field.

Considers the effects of decomposition on bacterial, fungal and mesofaunal populations in pristine ecosystemsExamines the role of the microbiome, necrobiome and thanatomicrobiome in postmortem interval estimationsFocuses on the application of different analytical techniques across forensics to enhance/expand the crime scene investigation toolkitWritten by a wide range of international experts in their respective fields

1. General Introduction: method applications at the interface of microbial ecology and forensic investigation 2. Forensic Taphonomy 3. The method debate: a state-of-the art analysis of PMI estimation techniques 4. Implications of the investigative animal model 5. The role of the microbiome in PMI estimation 6. What is the “thanatomicrobiome” and what is its relevance to forensic investigations? 7. Assessing subsurface decomposition and potential impacts on forensic investigations 8. From experimental work to real crime scenes and the courts 9. Summary: an assessment of achievements, limitations and potential of Forensic Ecogenomics