The Method Debate: A State-of-the-Art Analysis of PMI Estimation Techniques

Abstract Despite numerous attempts to develop an accurate and reliable postmortem interval (PMI) estimation tool, this still remains one of the major challenges that face forensic scientists. This is mainly because decomposition is affected by a sequence of several factors including edaphic and environmental parameters concomitant with the activity of exogenous organisms such as microorganisms, insects, and scavengers. Also the phenomenon depends on the cadaver's endogenous factors such as health condition and cause of death. This chapter gives an overview of the highly variable cadaver decomposition processes and their major influencing factors; discusses established and emerging biochemical, physicochemical, histological, physiological, and molecular techniques developed by researchers on their quest to find the “ultimate PMI estimation tool”; considers current classification methods; and proposes an alternative categorization approach. Also novel techniques and/or areas of ongoing research in other forensic subdisciplines are explored succinctly as appropriate.