Manuel Garrido García¹, MARIA DOLORES PEREZ CARCELES², EDUARDO JAVIER OSUNA CARRILLO-ALBORNOZ², Isabel Legaz Pérez³

(1) Departamento de ciencias Sociosanitarias. Area de Medicina Legal y Forense. Grupo de investigacion E008-06 ; Medicina Legal y Toxicología, 30001, España (Región de Murcia)
(2) MEDICINA LEGAL Y FORENSE. LEGISLACION SANITARIA, IMIB-Arrixaca, España
(3) INMUNOLOGÍA E INMUNOTOLERANCIA EN TRASPLANTES Y ENFERMEDADES DE BASE INMUNOLÓGICA, IMIB-Arrixaca, España

Numerous studies relate differences in microbial communities to human health and disease, however little is known about microbial changes that occur post mortem or the possible applications of microbiome analysis in the field of forensic science. The aim of this review was study the microbiome and its applications in forensic sciences, to determine the main lines of investigation that are emerging, as well as its possible contributions in the forensic field.

A systematic review of the human microbiome in relation to forensic science was carried out following PRISMA guidelines.

This study throws light on the role of microbiome research in the postmortem interval during the process of decomposition; identifying death caused by drowning or sudden death; locating the geographical location of death; establishing a connection between human microbiome and personal items, sexual contact, and the identification of individuals. Actinomycetaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Alcaligenaceae and Bacilli play an important role in determining the postmortem interval. Aeromonas can be used to determine the cause of death, and Corynebacterium or Helicobacter pylori to ascertain personal identity or geographical location.

Several studies point to a promising future for microbiome analysis in the different fields of forensic science, opening up an important new area of research.