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Peters R, Veenstra R, Heutinck K, Baas A, Munniks S, Knotter J. Human scent characterization: A review. Forensic Sci Int 2023; 349:111743. [PMID: 37315480 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Human scent has long been cited as a probable parameter that can be exploited as a biometric measure. Identifying the scent of individual persons using specially trained canines is a well-known forensic method which is frequently used in criminal investigations. To date there has been limited research on the chemical components present in human scent and their usefulness in distinguishing between people. This review delivers insight into studies which have dealt with human scent in forensics. Sample collection methods, sample preparation, instrumental analysis, compounds identified in human scent and data analysis techniques are discussed. Methods for sample collection and preparation are presented, but to date, there is no available validated method. Instrumental methods are presented and from the overview it is clear that gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry is the method of choice. New developments such as two-dimensional gas chromatography offer exiting possibilities to collect more information. Given the amount and complexity of data, data processing is used to extract the relevant information to discriminate people. Finally, sensors offer new opportunities for the characterization of human scent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruud Peters
- Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Research Group Technologies for Criminal Investigations, Handelskade 75, 7417 DH Deventer, the Netherlands.
| | - Rick Veenstra
- Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Research Group Technologies for Criminal Investigations, Handelskade 75, 7417 DH Deventer, the Netherlands
| | - Karin Heutinck
- Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Research Group Technologies for Criminal Investigations, Handelskade 75, 7417 DH Deventer, the Netherlands
| | - Albert Baas
- Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Research Group Technologies for Criminal Investigations, Handelskade 75, 7417 DH Deventer, the Netherlands
| | - Sandra Munniks
- Wageningen Food Safety Research, Wageningen University and Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jaap Knotter
- Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Research Group Technologies for Criminal Investigations, Handelskade 75, 7417 DH Deventer, the Netherlands; Dutch Police Academy, Arnhemseweg 348, 7334 AC Apeldoorn, the Netherlands
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Brown bear skin-borne secretions display evidence of individuality and age-sex variation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3163. [PMID: 36823208 PMCID: PMC9950453 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29479-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Scent originates from excretions and secretions, and its chemical complexity in mammals translates into a diverse mode of signalling. Identifying how information is encoded can help to establish the mechanisms of olfactory communication and the use of odours as chemical signals. Building upon existing behavioural and histological literature, we examined the chemical profile of secretions used for scent marking by a solitary, non-territorial carnivore, the brown bear (Ursus arctos). We investigated the incidence, abundance, and uniqueness of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cutaneous glandular secretions of 12 wild brown bears collected during late and post-breeding season, and assessed whether age-sex class, body site, and individual identity explained profile variation. VOC profiles varied in the average number of compounds, compound incidence, and compound abundance by age-sex class and individual identity (when individuals were grouped by sex), but not by body site. Mature males differed from other age-sex classes, secreting fewer compounds on average with the least variance between individuals. Compound uniqueness varied by body site and age for both males and females and across individuals. Our results indicate that brown bear skin-borne secretions may facilitate age-sex class and individual recognition, which can contribute towards further understanding of mating systems and social behaviour.
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A comparison between mobile and stationary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry devices for analysis of complex volatile profiles. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023; 415:137-155. [PMID: 36396731 PMCID: PMC9672629 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04391-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
On-site analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with miniaturized gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) systems is a very rapidly developing field of application. While, on the one hand, major technological advances are improving the availability of these systems on the market, on the other hand, systematic studies to assess the performance of such instruments are still lacking. To fill this gap, we compared three portable GC-MS devices to a state-of-the-art benchtop (stationary) system for analysis of a standard mixture of 18 VOCs. We systematically compared analytical parameters such as the sensitivity and similarity of the signal response pattern and the quality of the obtained mass spectra. We found that the investigated mobile instruments (i) showed different response profiles with a generally lower number of identified analytes. Also, (ii) mass spectral reproducibility (% relative standard deviation (RSD) of the relative abundance of selective fragments) was generally worse in the mobile devices (mean RSD for all targeted fragments ~9.7% vs. ~3.5% in the stationary system). Furthermore, mobile devices (iii) showed a poorer mass spectral similarity to commercial reference library spectra (>20% deviation of fragment ion relative intensity vs. ~10% in the stationary GC-MS), suggesting a less reliable identification of analytes by library search. Indeed, (iv) the performance was better with higher-mass and/or more abundant fragments, which should be considered to improve the results of library searches for substance identification. Finally, (v) the estimation of the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) in mobile instruments as a measure of sensitivity revealed a significantly lower performance compared to the benchtop lab equipment (with a ratio among medians of ~8 times lower). Overall, our study reveals not only a poor signal-to-noise ratio and poor reproducibility of the data obtained from mobile instruments, but also unfavorable results with respect to a reliable identification of substances when they are applied for complex mixtures of volatiles.
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Veilleux CC, Dominy NJ, Melin AD. The sensory ecology of primate food perception, revisited. Evol Anthropol 2022; 31:281-301. [PMID: 36519416 DOI: 10.1002/evan.21967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Twenty years ago, Dominy and colleagues published "The sensory ecology of primate food perception," an impactful review that brought new perspectives to understanding primate foraging adaptations. Their review synthesized information on primate senses and explored how senses informed feeding behavior. Research on primate sensory ecology has seen explosive growth in the last two decades. Here, we revisit this important topic, focusing on the numerous new discoveries and lines of innovative research. We begin by reviewing each of the five traditionally recognized senses involved in foraging: audition, olfaction, vision, touch, and taste. For each sense, we provide an overview of sensory function and comparative ecology, comment on the state of knowledge at the time of the original review, and highlight advancements and lingering gaps in knowledge. Next, we provide an outline for creative, multidisciplinary, and innovative future research programs that we anticipate will generate exciting new discoveries in the next two decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie C Veilleux
- Department of Anatomy, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, USA
| | - Nathaniel J Dominy
- Department of Anthropology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Amanda D Melin
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Gámez S, Harris NC. Conceptualizing the 3D niche and vertical space use. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 37:953-962. [PMID: 35872027 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Spatial partitioning in ecological communities has predominantly been described in two dimensions, yet habitat is complex and 3D. Complex space use mediates community structure and interaction strength by expanding spatial, temporal, and dietary dimensions. Vertical stratification of resources provides opportunities for novel specializations, creating a 3D niche. Competition and predation are mediated by 3D space use, as individuals use the vertical axis to access prey, flee predators, or avoid competitors. The 3D niche is important for long-term conservation strategies as species must navigate tradeoffs in habitat use between strata-specific threats and suboptimal habitat patches. Ultimately, elucidating the 3D niche has implications for protected area management and corridor design that directly influence species persistence and ecosystem function in a rapidly changing world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siria Gámez
- Applied Wildlife Ecology Lab, Yale School of the Environment, Yale University 195 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
| | - Nyeema C Harris
- Applied Wildlife Ecology Lab, Yale School of the Environment, Yale University 195 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
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Heymann EW. New sniffing at New World primates: recent advances in the study of platyrrhine olfactory communication. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2021.2015454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eckhard W. Heymann
- Leibniz-Institut für Primatenforschung, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany(E-mail: )
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Tang J, Poirier AC, Duytschaever G, Moreira LAA, Nevo O, Melin AD. Assessing urinary odours across the oestrous cycle in a mouse model using portable and benchtop gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:210172. [PMID: 34540244 PMCID: PMC8411304 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.210172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
For female mammals, communicating the timing of ovulation is essential for reproduction. Olfactory communication via volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can play a key role. We investigated urinary VOCs across the oestrous cycle using laboratory mice. We assessed the oestrous stage through daily vaginal cytology and analysed urinary VOCs using headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), testing a portable GC-MS against a benchtop system. We detected 65 VOCs from 40 samples stored in VOC traps and analysed on a benchtop GC-MS, and 15 VOCs from 90 samples extracted by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and analysed on a portable GC-MS. Only three compounds were found in common between the two techniques. Urine collected from the fertile stages of the oestrous cycle had increased quantities of a few notable VOCs compared with urine from non-fertile stages. These VOCs may be indicators of fertility. However, we did not find significant differences in chemical composition among oestrous stages. It is possible that changes in VOC abundance were too small to be detected by our analytical methods. Overall, the use of VOC traps combined with benchtop GC-MS was the more successful of the two methods, yet portable GC-MS systems may still have utility for some in situ applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Tang
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Alice C. Poirier
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Gwen Duytschaever
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Laís A. A. Moreira
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Omer Nevo
- German Centre of Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany
| | - Amanda D. Melin
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Calgary, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada
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Portillo‐Estrada M, Van Moorleghem C, Janssenswillen S, Cooper RJ, Birkemeyer C, Roelants K, Van Damme R. Proton‐transfer‐reaction time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (PTR‐TOF‐MS) as a tool for studying animal volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. Methods Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Portillo‐Estrada
- Research Group Pleco (Plants and Ecosystems) Department of Biology University of Antwerp Wilrijk Belgium
| | - Charlotte Van Moorleghem
- Laboratory for Functional Morphology Department of Biology University of Antwerp Wilrijk Belgium
| | - Sunita Janssenswillen
- Amphibian Evolution Lab Biology Department Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
| | - Richard Joseph Cooper
- Amphibian Evolution Lab Biology Department Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
| | | | - Kim Roelants
- Amphibian Evolution Lab Biology Department Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
| | - Raoul Van Damme
- Laboratory for Functional Morphology Department of Biology University of Antwerp Wilrijk Belgium
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Poirier AC, Waterhouse JS, Watsa M, Erkenswick GA, Moreira LAA, Tang J, Dunn JC, Melin AD, Smith AC. On the trail of primate scent signals: A field analysis of callitrichid scent-gland secretions by portable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Am J Primatol 2021; 83:e23236. [PMID: 33534928 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Chemosignals are mediators of social interactions in mammals, providing con- and hetero-specifics with information on fixed (e.g., species, sex, group, and individual identity) and variable (e.g., social, reproductive, and health status) features of the signaler. Yet, methodological difficulties of recording and quantifying odor signals, especially in field conditions, have hampered studies of natural systems. We present the first use of the Torion® portable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) instrument for in situ chemical analysis of primate scents. We collected and analyzed swab samples from the scent glands and skin from 13 groups (57 individuals) of two sympatric species of wild emperor tamarins, Saguinus imperator, and Weddell's saddleback tamarins, Leontocebus weddelli (Callitrichidae). In total, 11 compounds of interest (i.e., probably derived from the animals) could be detected in the samples, with 31 of 215 samples containing at least one compound of interest. The composition of these 31 samples varied systematically with species, group, sex, and breeding status. Moreover, we tentatively identified seven of the compounds of interest as methyl hexanoate, benzaldehyde, ethyl hexanoate, acetophenone, a branched C15 alkane, 4-methoxybenzaldehyde, and hexadecan-1-ol. As the field of primate semiochemistry continues to grow, we believe that portable GC-MS instruments have the potential to help make progress in the study of primate chemosignaling in field conditions, despite limitations that we encountered. We further provide recommendations for future use of the Torion® portable GC-MS for in situ analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice C Poirier
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Mrinalini Watsa
- Population Sustainability, Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global, San Diego, California, USA.,Field Projects International, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Gideon A Erkenswick
- Field Projects International, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA.,Department of Biology, University of Missouri St. Louis, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA.,Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Laís A A Moreira
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Jia Tang
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Jacob C Dunn
- School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK.,Biological Anthropology, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Department of Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Amanda D Melin
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Andrew C Smith
- School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
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