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Biochemical pathways generating post-mortem volatile compounds co-detected during forensic ethanol analyses.

Vassiliki A Boumba1, Kallirroe S Ziavrou, Theodore Vougiouklakis

  • 1Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece. vboumba@cc.uoi.gr

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Microbial fermentation of decaying corpse substrates produces volatile compounds. These post-mortem volatiles, including ethanol and other organic compounds, are crucial for interpreting forensic ethanol analysis results.

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Published on: September 5, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Science
  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Decaying corpses contain carbohydrates, amino acids, glycerol, and fatty acids.
  • Microbial metabolism of these substrates generates volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
  • These VOCs can interfere with or complicate forensic ethanol analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review microbial metabolic pathways producing post-mortem volatiles.
  • To correlate biochemical data with existing forensic literature on post-mortem volatiles.
  • To discuss the implications of microbial volatiles in forensic ethanol analysis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of microbial metabolic pathways.
  • Analysis of enzymes, substrates, and conditions for volatile formation.
  • Correlation of microbial volatile data with forensic findings.

Main Results:

  • Microbial formation of ethanol, acetaldehyde, acetone, alcohols (e.g., 2-propanol, 1-propanol, butanols, amyl alcohols), and esters (e.g., ethyl acetate) is biochemically supported.
  • Specific volatile compounds identified include acetate, propionate, butyrate, and isobutyrate.
  • The study identified 15 distinct volatile compounds generated by microbial action.

Conclusions:

  • Microbial activity significantly contributes to the volatile profile in post-mortem samples.
  • Understanding these microbial volatiles is essential for selecting appropriate internal standards in ethanol analysis.
  • The presence of these volatiles impacts the interpretation of ethanol analysis in forensic cases.