This conceptual review proposes that Basidiomycota, especially ammonia fungi and late-stage decomposers, may help estimate post-mortem intervals, locate graves and reconstruct scenes because sporocarps and mycelia can persist after some insect evidence. The authors explicitly state that this is not a systematic review and that evidentiary use requires multisite validation.
Key findings
- Sporocarps and mycelial networks may persist in arid or cold settings and respond to decomposition nitrogen. In aquatic systems, Basidiomycota succession is weaker and bacteria may offer greater resolution. Inconsistent sampling, incomplete databases and environmental variability remain major barriers.
Why this matters globally
The review motivates integrating fungal surveys with DNA or metabarcoding and environmental data, but courtroom use requires error rates, reference databases, chain of custody and laboratory standards.
Thai researcher contribution
Jaturong Kumla and Nakarin Suwannarach of Chiang Mai University's microbial-diversity centre contributed Thai fungal expertise to an international Asian network.
Limitations to consider
There are no new experiments or systematic review procedures. Rain, animals, burial, body movement and site disturbance can alter fungi, and no validated timing thresholds, sensitivity, specificity or casework error rates exist.