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Odor mortis.

Arpad A Vass1

  • 1Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6120, USA. vassaa@ornl.gov

Forensic Science International
|June 26, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The chemical odor signatures of decomposing human remains evolve over time, with specific compounds decreasing and others increasing. This research aids cadaver dog training and the development of human remains detection instruments.

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Area of Science:

  • Forensic Science
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Human decomposition generates unique chemical signatures.
  • Understanding these signatures is crucial for forensic investigations.
  • Previous research has explored early decomposition stages.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the chemical evolution of odor signatures from aged human remains (10-60+ years).
  • To identify specific volatile compounds associated with decomposition in soil.
  • To determine the temporal trends of these chemical markers.

Main Methods:

  • Headspace analysis of soil samples associated with human remains.
  • Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for chemical identification.
  • Analysis of samples from diverse global environments.

Main Results:

  • Approximately fifty volatile compounds were identified in soil linked to human remains.
  • Temporal trends show a decrease in cyclic and halogenated compounds.
  • An increase in aldehydes and alkanes was observed over time.

Conclusions:

  • The study defines unique "odor signatures" of aged human decomposition.
  • Findings have implications for cadaver dog training methodologies.
  • Results support the development of field-portable instruments for locating human remains.