Accurately determining the time of death is one of the most critical aspects of forensic investigations, as it helps establish connections between victims, suspects, and criminal events. While forensic entomology has traditionally relied on studying the life cycle of insects colonizing a corpse, recent advances have shown that microorganisms associated with these insects can provide a unique "biological fingerprint" of decomposition.<br /><br />Blowflies and houseflies, for example, arrive at a corpse within hours after death. These insects do not act alone; they carry distinct microbial communities on their bodies and within their guts. As decomposition progresses, these microorganisms colonize the corpse and change in predictable patterns over time. This microbial “insect fingerprint” can therefore be analyzed to estimate the Post-Mortem Interval (PMI) with higher precision.<br /><br />Modern techniques such as microbial DNA sequencing (Metagenomics) have enabled scientists to track bacterial and fungal community shifts during different stages of decomposition. Research has demonstrated that these microbial successions follow relatively consistent timelines, offering an additional and sometimes more accurate tool compared to traditional insect-based estimates.<br /><br />By combining microbial insect fingerprints with classical entomological evidence, forensic experts gain a more powerful approach, particularly in cases where environmental conditions limit insect activity or when insect evidence alone is insufficient.<br /><br />Conclusion:<br />The microbial insect fingerprint represents a new frontier in forensic science, providing investigators with a more reliable and scientific method for determining the time of death. With rapid advances in microbiome research, this approach is expected to become increasingly integrated into forensic investigations in the future.<br /><br />Al-Mustaqbal University – the first university in Iraq.<br/><br/><a href=https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/ar/ target=_blank>SDGS</a>