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Solving Crimes with the Necrobiome

Topic
  • Microbiology
  • Bacteria
  • Microbial Ecology
Resource Type
  • Videos
  • Animated Shorts
Level
High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Duration
00:07:10
Favorited By
10 Users
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Description

This short video explores the stages of decomposition of animal bodies and shows how microorganisms found during the decomposition process can provide useful information for criminal investigators.

Death is the beginning of new life for the many microbes that take over our bodies after we die: a community known as the necrobiome. Scientists study these microbial communities and the activity that takes place in and around a corpse to better understand the process of decomposition. This research provides potentially useful tools for criminal investigators. Through forensic experiments, scientists have shown that it may be possible to estimate time of death by sequencing the DNA from the microbes found on and around decomposing bodies.

This video is part of the series I Contain Multitudes, hosted by science journalist Ed Yong.

Details
Key Terms

body farm, crime scene investigation, decay, decomposition, forensic science, microbiome, nutrient cycle, postmortem interval, succession, thanatomicrobiome

Primary Literature

Metcalf, Jessica L., Zhenjiang Zech Xu, Sophie Weiss, Simon Lax, Will Van Treuren, Embriette R. Hyde, Se Jin Song et al. “Microbial community assembly and metabolic function during mammalian corpse decomposition.” Science 351, 6269 (2016): 158–162. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aad2646.

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level

This resource and the accompanying documents comply with accessibility standards in accordance with the final rule for Section 508 of the National Rehabilitation Act.
Version History
Date Published 03.23.18
Date Updated 04.21.20
Curriculum Connections
NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1.A

AP Biology (2019)

ENE-4, SYI-1

IB Biology (2016)

4.1, C.2

AP Environmental Science (2013)

II.C

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

2.3, 5.1

Vision and Change (2009)

CC4

Materials
Transcript (PDF) 317 KB
Abbreviated Film Guide (PDF) 235 KB
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