Oral microbiome dynamics in Postmortem Interval estimation: research standards and guidelines

Determination of the postmortem interval (PMI) is a crucial aspect of forensic investigations as it verifies an alibi or narrows down suspects. Nevertheless, PMI estimation remains one of the most challenging problems in forensic science. Current...

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Main Authors: Aleksandra Haenel, Tomasz Grzybowski, Katarzyna Skonieczna
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Polish Society of Forensic Medicine and Criminology (PTMSiK) 2025-06-01
Series:Archives of Forensic Medicine and Criminology
Online Access: https://ejournals.eu/czasopismo/amsik/artykul/oral-microbiome-dynamics-in-postmortem-interval-estimation-research-standards-and-guidelines
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author Aleksandra Haenel
Tomasz Grzybowski
Katarzyna Skonieczna
author_facet Aleksandra Haenel
Tomasz Grzybowski
Katarzyna Skonieczna
author_sort Aleksandra Haenel
collection DOAJ
description Determination of the postmortem interval (PMI) is a crucial aspect of forensic investigations as it verifies an alibi or narrows down suspects. Nevertheless, PMI estimation remains one of the most challenging problems in forensic science. Currently used methods are influenced by various biotic and abiotic factors affecting decomposition. Thus, determining the time of death largely depends on the skills and experience of the forensic experts. Consequently, currently used procedures are prone to inaccuracies. Lately, gut microbiome analysis has proven useful in determining the time of death. Furthermore, emerging evidence indicates that profiling the oral microbiome may also provide valuable insights into PMI estimation. In this review, we examine published reports on oral microbiome and highlight the methodological limitations that diminish their scientific value. Therefore, we summarize the research standards and guidelines for oral microbiome studies to enhance the accuracy and reproducibility of PMI studies. Consequently, standardization of this type of research could lead to the development of innovative approaches that may be implemented into routine forensic genetics practice.
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institution Kabale University
issn 0324-8267
1689-1716
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Polish Society of Forensic Medicine and Criminology (PTMSiK)
record_format Article
series Archives of Forensic Medicine and Criminology
spelling doaj-art-8c3ac659f8cd4fccb2b15746a7c7e3832025-08-20T03:36:15ZengPolish Society of Forensic Medicine and Criminology (PTMSiK)Archives of Forensic Medicine and Criminology0324-82671689-17162025-06-0120251485510.4467/16891716AMSIK.25.004.21539 Oral microbiome dynamics in Postmortem Interval estimation: research standards and guidelines Aleksandra Haenel0Tomasz Grzybowski1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6228-6460Katarzyna Skonieczna2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5788-9398 Katedra Medycyny Sądowej, Collegium Medicum im. Ludwika Rydygiera w Bydgoszczy, Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu, Katedra Medycyny Sądowej, Zakład Genetyki Molekularnej i Sądowej, Wydział Lekarski, Collegium Medicum Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika Katedra Medycyny Sądowej, Collegium Medicum im. Ludwika Rydygiera w Bydgoszczy, Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu, Determination of the postmortem interval (PMI) is a crucial aspect of forensic investigations as it verifies an alibi or narrows down suspects. Nevertheless, PMI estimation remains one of the most challenging problems in forensic science. Currently used methods are influenced by various biotic and abiotic factors affecting decomposition. Thus, determining the time of death largely depends on the skills and experience of the forensic experts. Consequently, currently used procedures are prone to inaccuracies. Lately, gut microbiome analysis has proven useful in determining the time of death. Furthermore, emerging evidence indicates that profiling the oral microbiome may also provide valuable insights into PMI estimation. In this review, we examine published reports on oral microbiome and highlight the methodological limitations that diminish their scientific value. Therefore, we summarize the research standards and guidelines for oral microbiome studies to enhance the accuracy and reproducibility of PMI studies. Consequently, standardization of this type of research could lead to the development of innovative approaches that may be implemented into routine forensic genetics practice. https://ejournals.eu/czasopismo/amsik/artykul/oral-microbiome-dynamics-in-postmortem-interval-estimation-research-standards-and-guidelines
spellingShingle Aleksandra Haenel
Tomasz Grzybowski
Katarzyna Skonieczna
Oral microbiome dynamics in Postmortem Interval estimation: research standards and guidelines
Archives of Forensic Medicine and Criminology
title Oral microbiome dynamics in Postmortem Interval estimation: research standards and guidelines
title_full Oral microbiome dynamics in Postmortem Interval estimation: research standards and guidelines
title_fullStr Oral microbiome dynamics in Postmortem Interval estimation: research standards and guidelines
title_full_unstemmed Oral microbiome dynamics in Postmortem Interval estimation: research standards and guidelines
title_short Oral microbiome dynamics in Postmortem Interval estimation: research standards and guidelines
title_sort oral microbiome dynamics in postmortem interval estimation research standards and guidelines
url https://ejournals.eu/czasopismo/amsik/artykul/oral-microbiome-dynamics-in-postmortem-interval-estimation-research-standards-and-guidelines
work_keys_str_mv AT aleksandrahaenel oralmicrobiomedynamicsinpostmortemintervalestimationresearchstandardsandguidelines
AT tomaszgrzybowski oralmicrobiomedynamicsinpostmortemintervalestimationresearchstandardsandguidelines
AT katarzynaskonieczna oralmicrobiomedynamicsinpostmortemintervalestimationresearchstandardsandguidelines