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Mazzatenta A, Pietrangelo T, Demontis R, D’Ovidio C. Volabolomic Fingerprinting for Post-Mortem Interval Estimation: A Novel Physiological Approach. Biomolecules 2024; 14:286. [PMID: 38540706 PMCID: PMC10968422 DOI: 10.3390/biom14030286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Death is a multifaceted process wherein each individual cell and tissue has a metabolic homeostasis and a time of functional cessation defined by the dying process as well as by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Decomposition is physiologically associated with the release of different types of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and these form volaboloma mortis. The main purpose of this study was to record the volabolomic fingerprint produced by volatile molecules during the physiological decomposition process of human tissue and muscle cells. The volatile chemical signature has important implications for an open issue in forensics and pathology, namely the estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI), which decreases in accuracy with the passage of time. Volatile metabolites emitted from human tissues and muscle cells at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h were recorded in real time with an electronic nose sensor device. The key findings were the continuous sampling of VOCs emitted from tissues and cells. These showed a common behavior as time progressed; particularly, after 48 h the distributions became dispersed, and after 72 h they became more variable. Volabolomic fingerprinting associated with time progression relevant to the study of PMIs was reconstructed. Additionally, there may be broader applications, such as in dog training procedures for detecting human remains, and perhaps even for studying scavenger and insect attractants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Mazzatenta
- Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science Department, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Tiziana Pietrangelo
- Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science Department, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Roberto Demontis
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Sanità Pubblica, Università degli Studi di Cagliari and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy;
| | - Cristian D’Ovidio
- Medicine and Aging Sciences Department, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
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Biological studies with comprehensive 2D-GC-HRMS screening: Exploring the human sweat volatilome. Talanta 2023; 257:124333. [PMID: 36801554 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.124333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
A key issue in GCxGC-HRMS data analysis is how to approach large-sample studies in an efficient and comprehensive way. We have developed a semi-automated data-driven workflow from identification to suspect screening, which allows highly selective monitoring of each identified chemical in a large-sample dataset. The example dataset used to illustrate the potential of the approach consisted of human sweat samples from 40 participants, including field blanks (80 samples). These samples have been collected in a Horizon 2020 project to investigate the capacity of body odour to communicate emotion and influence social behaviour. We used dynamic headspace extraction, which allows comprehensive extraction with high preconcentration capability, and has to date only been used for a few biological applications. We were able to detect a set of 326 compounds from a diverse range of chemical classes (278 identified compounds, 39 class unknowns, and 9 true unknowns). Unlike partitioning-based extraction methods, the developed method detects semi-polar (log P < 2) nitrogen and oxygen-containing compounds. However, it is unable to detect certain acids due to the pH conditions of unmodified sweat samples. We believe that our framework will open up the possibility of efficiently using GCxGC-HRMS for large-sample studies in a wide range of applications such as biological and environmental studies.
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Ueland M, Harris S, Forbes SL. Detecting volatile organic compounds to locate human remains in a simulated collapsed building. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 323:110781. [PMID: 33878551 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110781] [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: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The occurrence of mass disasters has increased worldwide due to changing environments from global warming and a heightened threat of terrorism acts. When these disasters strike, it is imperative to rapidly locate and recover human victims, both the living and deceased. While search and rescue dogs are used to locate the living, cadaver detection dogs are typically tasked with locating the dead. This can prove challenging because commingling of victims is likely to occur during disasters in populated areas which will impact the decomposition process and the resulting odour produced. To date, there has been no research to investigate the process of human decomposition in a mass disaster scenario or to understand which compounds are detectable by cadaver detection dogs. Hence, the current study investigated the human decomposition process and subsequent volatile organic compound (VOC) production in two simulated building collapse scenarios with six human donors placed in each scenario. The human remains were only recovered after a period of one month, during which time VOC samples were collected and analysed using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A considerable degree of differential decomposition was observed upon recovery of the human remains, which was carried out as a part of a police disaster victim recovery training exercise. The location of the bodies in the disaster area was found to impact the decomposition process. The VOC profile was found to correlate with the decomposition process. Fifteen days following the simulated disaster, the VOC profile changed showing that a detectable change in the decomposition process had occurred. Overall, the changing VOC profile can inform the training of cadaver detection dogs for these unique scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiken Ueland
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - Scott Harris
- CBR/DVI Unit, Crime Scene Group, Forensic Services Department, Victoria Police, Forensic Services Centre, 31 Forensic Drive, Macleod, VIC 3085, Australia
| | - Shari L Forbes
- Département de chimie, biochimie et physique, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 boul. des Forges, Trois-Rivières, G8Z 4M3 Québec, Canada
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Brown HM, McDaniel TJ, Fedick PW, Mulligan CC. The current role of mass spectrometry in forensics and future prospects. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2020; 12:3974-3997. [PMID: 32720670 DOI: 10.1039/d0ay01113d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry (MS) techniques are highly prevalent in crime laboratories, particularly those coupled to chromatographic separations like gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC). These methods are considered "gold standard" analytical techniques for forensic analysis and have been extensively validated for producing prosecutorial evidentiary data. However, factors such as growing evidence backlogs and problematic evidence types (e.g., novel psychoactive substance (NPS) classes) have exposed limitations of these stalwart techniques. This critical review serves to delineate the current role of MS methods across the broad sub-disciplines of forensic science, providing insight on how governmental steering committees guide their implementation. Novel, developing techniques that seek to broaden applicability and enhance performance will also be highlighted, from unique modifications to traditional hyphenated MS methods to the newer "ambient" MS techniques that show promise for forensic analysis, but need further validation before incorporation into routine forensic workflows. This review also expounds on how recent improvements to MS instrumental design, scan modes, and data processing could cause a paradigm shift in how the future forensic practitioner collects and processes target evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary M Brown
- Chemistry Division, Research Department, Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division (NAWCWD), United States Navy Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), China Lake, California 93555, USA.
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Martin C, Diederich C, Verheggen F. Cadaver Dogs and the Deathly Hallows-A Survey and Literature Review on Selection and Training Procedure. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E1219. [PMID: 32709097 PMCID: PMC7401519 DOI: 10.3390/ani10071219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Human remains detection dogs (HRDDs) are powerful police assets to locate a corpse. However, the methods used to select and train them are as diverse as the number of countries with such a canine brigade. First, a survey sent to human remains searching brigades (Ncountries = 10; NBrigades = 16; NHandlers = 50; Nquestions = 9), to collect their working habits confirmed the lack of optimized selection and training procedures. Second, a literature review was performed in order to outline the strengths and shortcomings of HRDDs training. A comparison between the scientific knowledge and the common practices used by HRDDs brigade was then conducted focusing on HRDDs selection and training procedures. We highlighted that HRDD handlers select their dogs by focusing on behavioral traits while neglecting anatomical features, which have been shown to be important. Most HRDD handlers reported to use a reward-based training, which is in accordance with training literature for dogs. Training aids should be representative of the odor target to allow a dog to reach optimal performances. The survey highlighted the wide diversity of homemade training aids, and the need to optimize their composition. In the present document, key research topics to improve HRDD works are also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément Martin
- TERRA, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Avenue de la Faculté 2B, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium;
| | - Claire Diederich
- Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences, University of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles 61, B-5000 Namur, Belgium;
| | - François Verheggen
- TERRA, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Avenue de la Faculté 2B, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium;
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Perspectives of Biological Analysis in Latin America Using Multi and Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography: A Mini-review. Chromatographia 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10337-020-03910-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Ferdenzi C, Richard Ortegón S, Delplanque S, Baldovini N, Bensafi M. Interdisciplinary challenges for elucidating human olfactory attractiveness. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190268. [PMID: 32306873 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Many species use chemicals to communicate. In humans, there is increasing evidence that chemicals conveyed by the body are extremely important in interpersonal relationships. However, many aspects of chemical communication remain to be explored to fully understand this function in humans. The aim of this article is to identify relevant challenges in this field, with a focus on human attractiveness in the context of reproduction, and to put forward roadmaps for future studies that will hopefully extend to a wider range of social interactions. The first challenge consists in not being limited to body (mal)odours from the axilla. Preliminary data on how the odour of the face and head is perceived are presented. Second, there is a crucial need to increase our knowledge of the chemical bases of human chemical communication. Third, cross-cultural approaches must not be overlooked, because they have a major input in understanding the universal and culture-specific aspects of chemical communication. Fourth, the influence of specific cultural practices such as contraceptive and fragrance use is likely to be prominent and, therefore, needs to be well described. The fifth and last challenge for research projects in this field is the integration of different disciplines such as behavioural sciences, social sciences, neurosciences and microbiology. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Olfactory communication in humans'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Ferdenzi
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, F-69675 Bron Cedex, France
| | - Stéphane Richard Ortegón
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, F-69675 Bron Cedex, France
| | - Sylvain Delplanque
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Baldovini
- Institut de Chimie de Nice, CNRS UMR 7272, Université Côte d'Azur, F-06108 Nice, France
| | - Moustafa Bensafi
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, F-69675 Bron Cedex, France
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