Year of Award

2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Name

Anthropology (Forensic and Biological Anthropology)

Department or School/College

Anthropology

Committee Chair

Meradeth Snow

Commitee Members

Meradeth Snow, Elizabeth Bews, Kyle Bocinsky

Keywords

postmortem interval, microbiome, decomposition

Subject Categories

Biological and Physical Anthropology

Abstract

Accurate estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) remains challenging in forensic anthropology, particularly in arid and high-elevation environments where decomposition processes and insect activity are highly variable. Postmortem microbial succession has emerged as a promising alternative framework for PMI estimation. However, the effects of climate and elevation on microbial decomposition dynamics remain insufficiently characterized.

This study examines skin-associated microbial succession in human remains decomposing at the Forensic Investigation Research Station (FIRS) in western Colorado, a semi-arid, high-elevation environment. Microbial samples collected from five anatomical sites during the early postmortem interval are analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing, and community shifts are evaluated in relation to accumulated degree days (ADD).

By characterizing region-specific patterns of postmortem microbial succession, this research evaluates the applicability of existing microbiome-based PMI models in arid environments and identifies microbial taxa with potential forensic relevance. These findings contribute regionally informed data to necromicrobiome research and support the development of non-invasive, climate-adapted approaches to PMI estimation.

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© Copyright 2026 Georgia Rane Swelstad