Date of Award
6-2021
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Biology
Program
Biology (MS)
First Advisor/Chairperson
Josh Sharp
Abstract
Human decomposition is a complex and variable process influenced by innumerable factors such as the weather, innate microbiome, environmental microbes, and a myriad of other factors. The purpose of this study is to illuminate how the aforementioned factors influence necrobiome succession and how it relates to postmortem interval through the use of buccal swab and muscle tissue sampling from the arm (deltoid) and thigh (vastus lateralis). The use of muscle tissue samples is a novel means to study bacterial succession during human decomposition. Utilization of 16s rRNA sequencing provided information used to assess the overall diversity and variability of the necrobiome community composition over the course of the decomposition process for three donors. Human remains were donated to Forensic Research Outdoor Station (FROST) through the Northern Michigan University Body Donation Program. Analysis of the results using next generation metagenomic sequencing successfully showed patterns relating to time, temperature, accumulated degree-days, bacterial markers for sample site location, bacterial markers for donor identification, and as a whole, potential indications of postmortem interval.
Recommended Citation
Wacker, Anna, "Necrobiome Succession in Muscle Tissue as a Potential Indicator of Postmortem Interval" (2021). All NMU Master's Theses. 683.
https://commons.nmu.edu/theses/683
Access Type
NMU Users Only