The term 'decomposition' in crime scene analysis specifically refers to the breakdown of organic material, which is a crucial factor in estimating the time of death. When a body begins to decompose, various stages occur that can provide forensic experts with vital information about how long it has been since death. This process is influenced by numerous factors such as environmental conditions, the presence of insects, and the health of the deceased at the time of death.
Understanding decomposition assists investigators in establishing timelines and can offer insights into circumstances surrounding the death. By recognizing the stages of decomposition—fresh, bloat, active decay, advanced decay, and skeletal—analysts can draw conclusions about the timing of death that are crucial for the investigation.
The other options, while related to forensic analysis, do not accurately capture the specific meaning of 'decomposition' in this context. Analyzing written evidence, sampling soil, and general crime scene material analysis each pertain to different aspects of forensic investigation but do not involve the biological breakdown of organic materials that is central to assessing decomposition.