h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I am aware that after we die many of the micro-organisms stay where they are and begin the process of decomposition but there must be a fairly large number that emigrate to other sites such as the bedsheets in which our fresh corpses lie or perhaps to other animal forms which are close to us just after death. What I would like to know is whether there has been any research done in this are of microbiotic emigration. The crux of the matter is that if it is possible that micro biotic entities are aware of the imminent need for emigration then it is also possible that they are aware of the moment of death before the brain cells receive the information. Should this be the case then the rush to the surface or off the skin would be a way for surgeons to measure imminence of death even before the currently used medical devices such as electrocardiograms.

Fascinating concept Like rats leaving the sinking ship...

Obviously microorganisms have mechanisms to spread between healthy hosts, via contact or effluvia, etc. In what circumstances do you think they would need this kind of emigration response?

Oh, and welcome to h2g2, Mike