Journal of forensic and legal medicine最新文献

{"title":"Age estimation based on Demirjian's method using third molars in individuals from Southeastern Brazil","authors":"Amanda Farias-Gomes ,&nbsp;Maria Luíza dos Anjos Pontual ,&nbsp;Thaísa Pinheiro Silva ,&nbsp;Maria Fernanda Silva Andrade-Bortoletto ,&nbsp;Matheus L. Oliveira ,&nbsp;Francisco Haiter-Neto ,&nbsp;Cleber Zanchettin ,&nbsp;Deborah Queiroz Freitas","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103045","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103045","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study assessed the applicability of third molar mineralization stage for estimating chronological age in a Southeastern Brazilian population and tested a previously developed age estimation formula from a Northeastern Brazilian population. Digital panoramic radiographs of 1570 individuals aged 7–22 years were analyzed; 1260 radiographs were used to create the new formula, and 310 to test it. Two independent examiners classified the third molars on the radiographs according to Demirjian's developmental stages. Paired <em>t</em>-test compared chronological and estimated ages; Mann-Whitney test assessed sex differences in mineralization stages (α = 0.05). Multiple linear regression was used to develop a new age estimation formula. Chronological age was similar across all four third molars for different developmental stages, with no sex-related significant differences (p &gt; 0.05). The initial appearance of third molar formation (stage A) and root apex closure (stage H) occurred at mean ages of 8.6 and 19.8 years, respectively. A strong correlation (R = 0.925) was found between chronological age and third molar mineralization stages. The previously developed formula significantly overestimated chronological age by approximately one year (p &lt; 0.05). In contrast, the new formula achieved strong performance, explaining 85 % of the variance in the outcome (R² = 0.85), with low prediction errors (MAE = 1.35; RMSE = 1.71), with no significant differences between estimated and chronological age for most age groups (p &gt; 0.05). This study confirms the strong correlation between third molar mineralization stages and chronological age in a Southeastern Brazilian population. It also underscores the need for population-specific models, as the previously developed formula led to overestimation. The new formula provides a more accurate method for age estimation in this subpopulation, supporting its forensic and clinical applicability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 103045"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145621538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A systematic review about the evolving role of artificial intelligence in various fields of forensic medicine","authors":"Uzma Zaheen ,&nbsp;Allah Rakha ,&nbsp;Qudsia Hassan ,&nbsp;Muhammad Farhan Khan ,&nbsp;Sareen Akhtar ,&nbsp;Anam Munawar","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103043","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103043","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study systematically reviews the applications and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in forensic medicine, focusing on its role in mimicking human cognitive processes, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, pattern recognition, and operational efficiency across forensic domains.</div></div><div><h3>Methodology</h3><div>A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords including \"AI in forensics\" and \"machine learning forensic analysis,\" covering publications from 2014 to 2024. A total of approximately 1000 articles were initially identified, of which 100 met the inclusion criteria after screening for relevance, study design, and quality.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>AI applications in forensic medicine were categorized into key domains: personal identification, forensic pathology, radiology and imaging, digital forensics, toxicology, and forensic anthropology. Machine learning, deep learning, and neural network models demonstrated improvements in accuracy, reproducibility, and efficiency compared with conventional approaches. For example, AI-assisted imaging techniques reduced inter-observer variability in postmortem fracture detection, while predictive models for postmortem interval estimation showed mean error reductions of up to 15 %. Despite these advances, challenges such as small, non-representative datasets, limited external validation, and ethical concerns remain.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>AI has significantly enhanced multiple areas of forensic practice by improving diagnostic capabilities, streamlining workflows, and supporting decision-making. However, wider adoption requires rigorous validation, standardization, and ethical oversight. Future research should focus on integrating multimodal data, expanding dataset diversity, and addressing legal and ethical implications to maximize the utility of AI in real-world forensic investigations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 103043"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145621559","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An investigation of shored gunshot exit wound morphologies using a range of forensically relevant surfaces","authors":"Bandula Nishshanka ,&nbsp;Chris Shepherd ,&nbsp;Randika Ariyarathna ,&nbsp;Paranitharan Paranirubasingam ,&nbsp;Amila Rathnayaka","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103035","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103035","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Shored exit wounds are produced when the skin at the point of the bullet exit is supported or buttressed by some object or surface, causing an abraded ring around the shored exit wound. This work looks to add critical understanding of shored wound processes on a range of surface types, expanding on the currently limited literature that focuses only on soft shoring materials. This large empirical study was conducted to develop a deeper understanding of shored exit wounds for a range of common surface types available in contemporary urban environments. To facilitate this, two ammunition types (5.56 mm and 7.62 mm) were fired into a porcine model designed to simulate the downward force of a human body pressing into various modern building materials. The exit wounds produced by shoring the porcine model on wall tiles, concrete, and two engineered wood types (MDF and Melamine) significantly contrast with the existing, more generalised explanation of shored exit wounds. This highlights the necessity for a more valid, target-type-specific approach to interpreting shored exit wound characteristics. The study highlights that hard-shoring surfaces produce comparatively larger exit wounds, while irregular surfaces give rise to increased shoring and soft surfaces under pressure, produce less shoring. It also reports novel shored exit wound features and wounding mechanisms not documented previously that have potential forensic investigative value in helping determine if a gunshot wound has resulted from a shored scenario or not. While significantly adding to the understanding of shored exit wounds for forensic pathology practice, the study's findings suggest that the shored exit wound characteristics can be interpreted according to different target types, such as yielding and non-yielding surfaces.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 103035"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145621561","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hemorrhage in cervikal muscles: A case of drowning in the River","authors":"Abuzer Gülderen ,&nbsp;Tuba Şahinoğlu Güneş ,&nbsp;Sertaç Dalgıç ,&nbsp;Veysel Gürbüz ,&nbsp;Selçuk Çetin","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103038","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103038","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>İntroduction and Aim</h3><div>Ecchymosis and intramuscular hemorrhages seen in the superficial and deep muscle groups of the neck are instructive findings in terms of detecting and defining the pressure and trauma applied to the neck area. In our study, we aimed to present a drowning case in which bilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle bleeding was detected without any findings indicating neck compression or trauma.</div></div><div><h3>Case</h3><div>30-year-old man was found dead in a river near our city. He was referred to us by the prosecutor's office for an autopsy and to determine the cause of death. At autopsy; Bleeding was observed in the part of the sternocleidomastoid muscle close to the clavicle, under the fascia and within the muscle. Comprehensive examination, crime scene examination and autopsy findings were evaluated together. Bleeding that occurred in the neck region of the patient without external trauma was evaluated as intramuscular bleeding that rarely developed in the neck muscles during the drowning.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion and conclusion</h3><div>Forced inspiratory muscles do not function during normal breathing. They function in physiological and pathological conditions where respiratory volume must be increased. Among these muscles, the sternocleidoimastoid muscle is responsible for increasing the toraks volume by lifting the sternum up. It is an expected situation to see forced inspiration-expiration and related findings in deaths due to drowning. However, intramuscular hemorrhages that may occur due to forced inspiration-expiration are rare findings. In such cases, external neck trauma and compression should be excluded before making a decision.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 103038"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145590490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Medical liability related legislation and insurance policies around the world: A narrative literature review","authors":"Ioannis Ketsekioulafis ,&nbsp;Konstantinos Katsos ,&nbsp;Dimitrios Kouzos ,&nbsp;Chara Spiliopoulou ,&nbsp;Theodoros Lytras ,&nbsp;Emmanouil I. Sakelliadis","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103040","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103040","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Introduction&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Medical law defines the rules of healthcare by specifying the rights of healthcare consumers while at the same time defining the obligations of healthcare providers. When clinicians fail to provide the standard of care, medical malpractice claims arise, leading to medical liability. While many malpractice claims allege deviation from the &lt;em&gt;lex artis&lt;/em&gt;, a substantial proportion do not ultimately establish negligence and are dismissed or settled without a finding of fault. Due to the significant impact of medical negligence on the quality of medical care, as well as on the domestic and global economy, different countries adopt different systems for managing these disputes. Finally, the mandatory or non-mandatory medical malpractice insurance makes doctors carry out their medical work without the fear of medical liability. In fact, in most countries today, doctors are given the opportunity to choose between claims-made and occurrence-based policies of medical malpractice insurance.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Materials and methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The study is a narrative review of scientific and legal works from different countries. For the comparison of medical liability systems and insurance policies a comprehensive review of databases and legal texts was conducted.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;This study compares medical liability and malpractice insurance systems across countries, examining variations in the handling of malpractice claims and their implications. The system is adversarial in many countries, especially in the United States, to allow for a substantial compensation, while other countries, such as the United Kingdom and Germany, focus on mediation and structured compensation processes. Notably, France, Japan and other countries follow a no-fault system, of reasoning that the system is more efficient in the sense that it reduces the patient's burden of proving negligence and thus expedites the compensation. These findings reveal how each country negotiates the balance between patient rights and healthcare provider protections, and, in turn, how these negotiations affect malpractice insurance costs and legal reforms.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Discussion&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The analysis contrasts fault-based systems which offer large compensation awards with no-fault systems which focus on quick compensation but may lack accountability. Countries with high litigation rates like the US and Brazil have higher insurance costs, while countries like Canada and Australia have stabilized their systems through reforms. Medical liability insurance options, claims-made versus occurrence-based, raise different economic and legal concerns. Occurrence-based policies are more expensive for younger professionals, but they provide longer-term coverage than claims-made policies.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusion&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Global medical liability frameworks vary considerably, reflecting cultural, economic and legal contexts. However, the compari","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 103040"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145577826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the role of cardiovascular diseases in drowning: A case-control study","authors":"Cemyigit Deveci ,&nbsp;Saime Gizem Tezgel ,&nbsp;Mehmet İlhan ,&nbsp;Mehmet Atilgan","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103041","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103041","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Drowning is a serious public health problem that can lead to morbidity or mortality. The study aims to describe the postmortem cardiovascular findings and investigate the impact of cardiovascular diseases on the mortality associated with drowning, employing a control group for comparison. The null hypothesis of our investigation suggested that there would be no statistically significant disparity in cardiovascular findings between cases of drowning and deaths resulting from other non-toxicological and non-pathological incidents. A study group (n = 109) from the deaths due to drowning were composed and a comparable control group (n = 218) by selecting two cases for each case in the study group with matching age and gender, with non-toxicological and non-pathological causes of death were created, in order to reduce potential confounding. The demographic and physical properties, and the cardiovascular autopsy findings were compared between the groups.</div><div>The study revealed a male predominance (73.4 %), with a median age of 55 (study) and 56 (control). Cardiovascular alterations (hypertrophy, scarring, fibrosis, stenosis) exhibited no significant differences between groups. Cardiac hypertrophy correlated positively with age. Higher BMI were detected in individuals over 40 years old in the study group compared to control group. No significant differences were detected between the groups in terms of cardiovascular findings. However, in the younger population (&lt;40 years old), although not statistically significant, the study group showed higher percentages compared to the control group for both perivascular-interstitial fibrosis and ventricular hypertrophy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 103041"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145575145","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Validation of forensic cleaning processes undertaken within Sexual Assault Referral Centres","authors":"Michelle Gaskell ,&nbsp;Lesley Clifford ,&nbsp;Aaron Jones ,&nbsp;Guylaine. O Hanford ,&nbsp;Kevin Sullivan","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103023","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103023","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper describes the retrospective validation of long-established cleaning processes used within Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs), for which there are variations between facilities in the detail of the cleaning approach that is applied, including whether bleach/hypochlorite cleaning reagents are permitted depending on local health and safety requirements. Six cleaning reagents commonly used within UK SARCs and Forensic Science Providers were assessed in this validation study: Chemgene HLD₄H, Virkon, Microsol, Selgiene, Virusolve were tested along with Presept which was the only reagent containing bleach. Additional comparison testing was also conducted on Chemgene Medlab. These were evaluated for their DNA decontamination capability by cleaning dried-on body fluid stains deposited on typical examination room surfaces and then assessing the level of DNA remaining (percentage yield). Impact of changing different cleaning parameters were assessed against an environmental indicator guide that provides insight into SARC facility cleanliness. Differences in effectiveness of decontamination varied according to body fluid type with DNA in blood being most readily removed followed by saliva, and semen was the hardest to decontaminate. Likewise, different surfaces varied in their resilience to decontamination with Formica being the easiest to clean and vinyl the hardest. Bleach-based reagent Presept gave the best decontamination test results overall, whilst non-bleach cleaners Virkon and Selgiene were also very effective. However, as a general rule, provided double spray/wipe cycles are performed using manufacturers’ recommended concentrations and a 30 s contact time, the cleaning effectiveness of all reagents were assessed to be generally acceptable in most circumstances. The exception to this rule was cleaning dried semen on vinyl, which was the most challenging body fluid/surface combination to decontaminate. It is recommended that extra care is taken in cleaning vinyl surfaces such as the examination couch and consider additional measures if necessary.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 103023"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145566807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Attitudes of family physicians towards reporting child abuse and solution suggestions: A cross-sectional study","authors":"Zeynep Aslan Hişmioğulları ,&nbsp;Rana Can Özdemir ,&nbsp;Meryem Türkan Işık","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103027","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103027","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Child abuse is a significant public health problem encompassing any act or omission that harms a child's physical, emotional, or sexual integrity, or negatively impacts their healthy development and dignity. This research aims to examine the attitudes of family physicians practicing in Turkey regarding reporting child abuse and their approaches to addressing this process.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>This descriptive cross-sectional research was carried out with 314 family physicians from all seven geographical regions of Turkey using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was composed of two parts: the first part section assessed participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, attitudes, behaviors, and proposed solutions concerning child abuse and neglect; the second part incorporated the Scale for Determining the Attitudes of Healthcare Workers Toward Reporting Child Abuse. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics along with Independent Samples <em>t</em>-test, one-way ANOVA, and Mann–Whitney U tests.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>It was found that 56.7 % of family physicians had encountered child abuse and neglect cases at least once in their professional life, and 57.6 % of them had not made official reports before. It was determined that 59.9 % of physicians did not receive any training on child abuse. Reasons for physicians’ failure to report included lack of knowledge of the procedure and fear that the child could be harmed by family. A statistically significant difference was found between the participants' age, length of professional experience, awareness of legal processes, and their attitudes toward reporting child abuse (p &lt; 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>While family physicians' knowledge of child abuse was generally sufficient, their reporting attitudes were found to be low. It is essential to enhance family physicians' knowledge and awareness of effective child abuse reporting, clarify procedures, and strengthen legal mechanisms to protect children.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 103027"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145575152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Intra-puparial development of forensically important Sarcophaga princeps at different constant temperatures","authors":"Liangliang Li ,&nbsp;Yifei Li ,&nbsp;Yinghui Wang ,&nbsp;Yu Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103022","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103022","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Sarcophaga princeps</em> Wiedemann, 1830 (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) is a species widely distributed in the Oriental and parts of the Palearctic regions. Documented cases have reported its colonization of human corpses and association with livestock myiasis, highlighting its significant value in forensic and medical research. However, current methods for estimating the intra-puparial age of <em>S. princeps</em>, which accounts for more than half of the entire immature stage, remain lacking. In this study, pupae were sampled at four constant temperatures (16, 22, 28, and 34 °C), and intra-puparial morphological changes were observed and photographed under a stereomicroscope after removal of the puparium. Results showed that the intra-puparial developmental period of <em>S. princeps</em> could be divided into 12 sub-stages based on overall morphological changes. Structures such as compound eyes, mouthparts, antennae, thorax, legs, wings, and abdomen were also used for age estimation; these were individually observed, photographed with local magnification, and their developmental processes were categorized into 6–10 stages. The temporal ranges of each sub-stage and structural appearance were meticulously recorded. This study provides essential baseline data for estimating minimum postmortem interval (PMI_min) using intra-puparial morphological characteristics of <em>S. princeps</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 103022"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145515219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Postmortem microbiome dynamics: Review of forensic microbial clock","authors":"Kalanjali Y,&nbsp;Arjun Rao Isukapatla","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103024","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103024","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The postmortem interval (PMI) in Forensic science presents several challenges, including accurate investigation, estimation and reliance on a limited set of physical and microbial markers. However, while these methods have advantages, they are also limited by factors such as environmental variability and temporal constraints. Microbial succession during decomposition, commonly referred to as the “microbial clock”, has emerged as a promising and potentially more precise indicator of PMI. It is clear from a thorough examination of more than 30 peer-reviewed studies involving human cadavers and animal models that microbial communities undergo predictable, time-dependent internal and external changes. Controlled studies using murine and porcine models have demonstrated strong temporal correlations between specific microbial taxa and distinct stages of decomposition, with some models capable of predicting PMI within a two-to-three-day accuracy range over several weeks. Similarly, studies on human cadavers have shown consistent patterns of microbial succession within postmortem organs, revealing organ-specific microbial signatures that change over time and can be influenced by variables such as the cause of death, the environment and the health of an individual. These findings suggest that microbial succession can serve as a powerful quantitative and biological tool for determining the time of death. However, to realize its full potential, further research is needed, using diverse datasets and incorporating multiple post-mortem indicators. This review provides a comprehensive summary of current knowledge on the microbial clock and discusses the ecological and practical considerations necessary to develop a robust and reliable post-mortem clock for forensic practice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 103024"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145515240","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}