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Decaying mouse volatiles perceived by Calliphora vicina Rob.-Desv
Sebastian Paczkowski1, Friederike Maibaum, Marta Paczkowska
1Department of Forest Zoology and Forest Conservation, Büsgeninstitut, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany. spaczko@gwdg.de
Journal of Forensic Sciences
|September 14, 2012
Summary
Researchers identified key volatile organic compounds from decaying mice, including dimethyl trisulfide and dimethyl disulfide. These compounds are crucial for detecting remains and determining time since death.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Insect Chemical Ecology
Background:
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by decaying human remains are critical in forensic science.
- Identifying consistent "core volatiles" is challenging due to natural variation in decomposition.
- Understanding these VOCs aids in cadaver detection and estimating postmortem intervals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and quantify volatile compounds emitted during the decomposition of mammalian remains.
- To determine which of these volatiles are electrophysiologically active for forensic detection.
- To correlate volatile profiles with decay stages and accumulated degree days.
Main Methods:
- Sampling of volatiles from decaying mouse carcasses using charcoal filter tubes.
- Quantification of eleven identified compounds via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
- Electrophysiological assessment using electroantennography (EAG) with Calliphora vicina antennae.
Main Results:
- Eleven volatile compounds were quantified during mouse decomposition.
- Dimethyl trisulfide, dimethyl disulfide, nonanal, hexan-1-ol, 1-octen-3-ol, 3-methylbutan-1-ol, and heptanal were identified as electrophysiologically active.
- Dimethyl trisulfide (17 ng/μL) and dimethyl disulfide (11 ng/μL) were emitted at the highest concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Dimethyl trisulfide and dimethyl disulfide are significant core volatiles in mammalian decomposition.
- These identified compounds, along with nonanal, show potential for cadaver detection and postmortem interval estimation.
- Further research is needed to correlate these volatiles with decay progression and environmental factors like accumulated degree days.
