Earticle

초록

영어

Identifying locations where human remains were previously present remains a major challenge in forensic investigations, particularly when remains have been relocated or removed. Decomposition releases body fluids and organic compounds into surrounding soils. These inputs alter soil physicochemical conditions and microbial community structure, generating potential forensic indicators of carcass deposition. This study investigated the depth-resolved (5–20 cm) effects of surface-exposed pig carcass decomposition on soil physicochemical properties and microbial communities under outdoor conditions in the Republic of Korea. Soil samples were collected from a carcass deposition site and two nearby control locations. Soil pH, oxidation–reduction potential (ORP), and electrical conductivity (EC) were measured. Microbial community composition was characterized using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, followed by diversity analyses and linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe). Carcass decomposition significantly altered soil chemistry. Surface soils showed strong alkalization (pH 8.9), intense reduction (ORP −117 mV), and elevated electrical conductivity (531 μS/cm). These effects attenuated with increasing depth, reflecting vertical diffusion of decomposition-derived fluids. Microbiome analysis revealed reduced alpha diversity and a shift toward dominance by copiotrophic taxa, particularly Firmicutes. Beta diversity analysis demonstrated clear separation between carcass and control soils. LEfSe identified several indicator taxa associated with carcass decomposition, including Sporosarcina, Chujaibacter, Lapillicoccus, Glutamicibacter, Savagea, and Pseudogracilibacillus. These taxa exhibited distinct depth-dependent abundance patterns within the soil profile. These findings demonstrate that carcass decomposition generates depth-resolved microbial signatures in soil. Soil microbiome profiling shows strong potential as a complementary forensic approach for identifying environments influenced by carcass deposition.

목차

Abstract
Ⅰ. Introduction
Ⅱ. Material and Methods
1. Pig Carcass Decomposition and Soil Sampling
2. Analysis of Soil Physicochemical Properties
3. DNA Extraction and Quantification
4. PCR Amplification and Sequencing
5. Bioinformatics and Statistical Analysis
Ⅲ. Results and Discussion
1. Soil Physicochemical Properties
2. Taxonomic Composition of the Soil Microbiome
3. Alpha Diversity of Soil Microbial Communities
4. Beta Diversity and Community Structure
5. Differential Taxa Associated with Carcass Decomposition
6. Depth-resolved Microbial Signatures of Carcass Decomposition
Ⅳ. Conclusion
Ⅴ. Acknowledgments
Ⅵ. References

키워드

저자

• Ha-Eun Cha [ Department of Forensic Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea ]
• Jooree Seo [ Department of Forensic Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea ]
• Dae Geon Oh [ Department of Forensic Investigation, Detective Bureau, Korean National Police Agency, Seoul, Korea ]
• Ji-woo Lee [ Department of Forensic Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea ]
• Soeun Lee [ Department of Forensic Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea ]
• Si-Keun Lim [ Department of Forensic Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University/ID-Cell Forensics Co., Sungkyunkwan University/Convergence Bio Forensic Institute (CBFI), Biomedical Institute for Convergence at Sungkyunkwan University (BICS), Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea ] Corresponding Author

참고문헌

발행기관

간행물

표지보기 관심저널 등록

• 간행물명

  한국법과학회지 [Korean Journal of Forensic Science]

• 간기

  반년간

• pISSN

  1598-0715

• 수록기간

  2000~2026

• 등재여부

  KCI 등재

• 십진분류

  KDC 367 DDC 347