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Cieśla J, Skrobisz J, Niciński B, Kloc M, Mazur K, Pałasz A, Javan GT, Tomsia M. The smell of death. State-of-the-art and future research directions. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1260869. [PMID: 37779703 PMCID: PMC10538644 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1260869] [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: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The decomposition of a body is inseparably associated with the release of several types of odors. This phenomenon has been used in the training of sniffer dogs for decades. The odor profile associated with decomposition consists of a range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemical composition of which varies over time, temperature, environmental conditions, and the type of microorganisms, and insects colonizing the carcass. Mercaptans are responsible for the bad smell associated with corpses; however, there are no unified recommendations for conducting forensic analysis based on the detectable odor of revealed corpses and previous research on VOCs shows differing results. The aim of this review is to systematize the current knowledge on the type of volatile organic compounds related to the decomposition process, depending on a few variables. This knowledge will improve the methods of VOCs detection and analysis to be used in modern forensic diagnostics and improve the methods of training dogs for forensic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Cieśla
- Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Julia Skrobisz
- Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Bartosz Niciński
- Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Magdalena Kloc
- Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Mazur
- Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Artur Pałasz
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Gulnaz T. Javan
- Department of Physical and Forensic Science Programs, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Marcin Tomsia
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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Martin C, Malević M, Diederich C, Verheggen F. Copycatting the smell of death: Deciphering the role of cadaveric scent components used by detection dogs to locate human remains. J Forensic Sci 2023. [PMID: 37183668 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15277] [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: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Human remains detection dogs (HRDD) are commonly used by law enforcement agencies to search for cadavers. Biological material is typically used as a training stimulus, also called aids, to train dogs to recognize the smell of cadavers. While HRDD training approaches have received extensive attention, information remains limited on the olfactory cues used to train them. Here, we aimed to decipher the chemical basis of detection dog olfaction. Five specific objectives were explored to precise whether the composition or the concentration of the training aids drives the HRDDs responses. We recorded the behavioral responses of four HRDDs exposed to different cadaveric-like smells. We found that HRDDs recognized a simplified synthetic aid composed of cadaveric compounds. The lowest concentration at which HRDDs continued to perceive the cadaveric smell was determined. HRDDs were not impacted by slight modifications to the chemical composition of a blend of odors that they have been trained with. HRDDs associated sulfur and nitrogen compounds as human cadaver. Our findings highlight a lack of specificity of HRDDs to cadaveric compounds, which could lead to error of detection. Moreover, all dogs did not positively respond to the same blends, despite being trained with the same aids and procedure. However, we confirmed that dogs could be trained with a simplified blend of molecules. The chemical composition of a training aid has, therefore, high consequences on the performance of the trained animal, and this conclusion opens additional questions regarding olfaction-based detection animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément Martin
- Chemical and Behavioral Ecology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, TERRA, University of Liège, Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Marta Malević
- Chemical and Behavioral Ecology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, TERRA, University of Liège, Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Claire Diederich
- Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - François Verheggen
- Chemical and Behavioral Ecology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, TERRA, University of Liège, Gembloux, Belgium
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Lepot L, Lunstroot K, De Wael K. Interpol review of fibres and textiles 2016-2019. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2021; 2:481-488. [PMID: 33385143 PMCID: PMC7770456 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2020.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in fibres and textiles from 2016 to 2019 as a part of the 19th Interpol International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. The review papers are also available at the Interpol website at: https://www.interpol.int/content/download/14458/file/Interpol%20Review%20Papers%202019.pdf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Lepot
- National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology (NICC-INCC), Belgium
| | - Kyra Lunstroot
- National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology (NICC-INCC), Belgium
| | - Kris De Wael
- National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology (NICC-INCC), Belgium
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4
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Prebihalo SE, Ochoa GS, Berrier KL, Skogerboe KJ, Cameron KL, Trump JR, Svoboda SJ, Wickiser JK, Synovec RE. Control-Normalized Fisher Ratio Analysis of Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry Data for Enhanced Biomarker Discovery in a Metabolomic Study of Orthopedic Knee-Ligament Injury. Anal Chem 2020; 92:15526-15533. [PMID: 33171046 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c03456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Prebihalo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Grant S. Ochoa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Kelsey L. Berrier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Kristen J. Skogerboe
- Department of Chemistry, Seattle University, Seattle, Washington 98122, United States
| | - Kenneth L. Cameron
- Keller Army Community Hospital, West Point, New York 10996, United States
| | - Jesse R. Trump
- Keller Army Community Hospital, West Point, New York 10996, United States
| | - Steven J. Svoboda
- Keller Army Community Hospital, West Point, New York 10996, United States
| | | | - Robert E. Synovec
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
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Martin C, Maesen P, Minchilli D, Francis F, Verheggen F. Forensic taphonomy: Characterization of the gravesoil chemistry using a multivariate approach combining chemical and volatile analyses. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 318:110569. [PMID: 33248327 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Soil thanatochemistry, defined as the study of the chemical changes occurring during the decomposition of buried corpses, is a young and inadequately documented field of research. In this study, we aim to determine the effects of decomposition on soil physico-chemical properties by combining pedological, chemical, and volatile analyses of soils surrounding buried animals. We examined chemical and volatile changes over time occurring throughout the soil column in two common soil-texture types (sandy loam and loam). We buried dead rats and let them decompose for two months. During their excavations, we characterized the physico-chemical conditions of three soil layers above the rats and one layer below, including (1) pH, dry matter, and electrical conductivity, (2) organic carbon and total nitrogen, (3) bioavailable nutrients (K, Na, Mg, Ca, and P), and (4) volatile organic compounds. Multivariate analyses (permMANOVA) revealed that a decaying rat is associated with changes in soil chemical characteristics in both soil types. However, the observed changes were not homogenous throughout the soil columns. Conditions in soil layers nearest the cadavers changed most during decomposition. We generated a predictive model by combining chemical and volatile analyses (10 % error rate), allowing us to identify key gravesoil indicators that could be used to reveal the former existence of a buried corpse in loam and sandy loam (indicators in order of importance): organic carbon, calcium, pH, conductivity, dimethyl-disulfide, and nitrogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément Martin
- TERRA, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Passage Des déportés 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium.
| | - Philippe Maesen
- BEAGX, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Passage des Déportés 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium.
| | - Damien Minchilli
- TERRA, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Passage Des déportés 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium.
| | - Frédéric Francis
- TERRA, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Passage Des déportés 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium.
| | - François Verheggen
- TERRA, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Passage Des déportés 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium.
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The Attraction of the Dung Beetle Anoplotrupes stercorosus (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae) to Volatiles from Vertebrate Cadavers. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11080476. [PMID: 32727148 PMCID: PMC7469141 DOI: 10.3390/insects11080476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
During decomposition, vertebrate carrion emits volatile organic compounds to which insects and other scavengers are attracted. We have previously found that the dung beetle, Anoplotrupes stercorosus, is the most common dung beetle found on vertebrate cadavers. Our aim in this study was to identify volatile key compounds emitted from carrion and used by A. stercorosus to locate this nutritive resource. By collecting cadaveric volatiles and performing electroantennographic detection, we tested which compounds A. stercorosus perceived in the post-bloating decomposition stage. Receptors in the antennae of A. stercorosus responded to 24 volatiles in odor bouquets from post-bloating decay. Subsequently, we produced a synthetic cadaver odor bouquet consisting of six compounds (benzaldehyde, DMTS, 3-octanone, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol, nonanal, dodecane) perceived by the beetles and used various blends to attract A. stercorosus in German forests. In field assays, these beetles were attracted to a blend of DMTS, 3-octanone, and benzaldehyde. Generalist feeding behavior might lead to the super-dominant occurrence of A. stercorosus in temperate European forests and have a potentially large impact on the exploitation and rapid turnover of temporally limited resources such as vertebrate cadavers.
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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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8
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Revolution in death sciences: body farms and taphonomics blooming. A review investigating the advantages, ethical and legal aspects in a Swiss context. Int J Legal Med 2020; 134:1875-1895. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-020-02272-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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9
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Weggler BA, Gruber B, Teehan P, Jaramillo R, Dorman FL. Inlets and sampling. SEP SCI TECHNOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-813745-1.00005-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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10
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Bahaghighat HD, Freye CE, Synovec RE. Recent advances in modulator technology for comprehensive two dimensional gas chromatography. Trends Analyt Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2018.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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11
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Dubois LM, Stefanuto PH, Perrault KA, Delporte G, Delvenne P, Focant JF. Comprehensive Approach for Monitoring Human Tissue Degradation. Chromatographia 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10337-019-03710-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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12
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Ueland M, Forbes SL, Stuart BH. Understanding clothed buried remains: the analysis of decomposition fluids and their influence on clothing in model burial environments. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2019; 15:3-12. [PMID: 30627974 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-018-0073-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies of fabric degradation have shown promising results for post-mortem interval estimations based on differences in the degradation states of clothing in the presence of decomposing remains. It is crucial to determine if a body was present when using the degradation state as an indicator of time since death. For this study, fabric samples from buried pig remains were collected and analyzed using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and chromatography- mass spectrometry. Three different fabrics were investigated; 100% cotton, 100% polyester and a polyester-cotton blend. Distinct visual changes were observed between the experimental and control graves, with the fabrics in the control grave degrading more rapidly. There was also a difference between the fabric types, whereby the natural fabrics degraded much faster than the synthetic ones. Principal component analysis was used to determine that the cotton control samples could be statistically separated based on their degradation state. The presence of lipids and proteins were useful for separating "wetter" graves from those drier in nature as well as the control graves. Clothing evidence was demonstrated to provide quantitative time since death information, as well as indicating the decomposition site in the event of intentional or unintentional movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiken Ueland
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - Shari L Forbes
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Barbara H Stuart
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
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13
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Belinato JR, Dias FFG, Caliman JD, Augusto F, Hantao LW. Opportunities for green microextractions in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography / mass spectrometry-based metabolomics - A review. Anal Chim Acta 2018; 1040:1-18. [PMID: 30327098 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2018.08.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Microextractions have become an attractive class of techniques for metabolomics. The most popular technique is solid-phase microextraction that revolutionized the field of modern sample preparation in the early nineties. Ever since this milestone, microextractions have taken on many principles and formats comprising droplets, fibers, membranes, needles, and blades. Sampling devices may be customized to impart exhaustive or equilibrium-based characteristics to the extraction method. Equilibrium-based approaches may rely on additional methods for calibration, such as diffusion-based or on-fiber kinetic calibration to improve bioanalysis. In addition, microextraction-based methods may enable minimally invasive sampling protocols and measure the average free concentration of analytes in heterogeneous multiphasic biological systems. On-fiber derivatization has evidenced new opportunities for targeted and untargeted analysis in metabolomics. All these advantages have highlighted the potential of microextraction techniques for in vivo and on-site sampling and sample preparation, while many opportunities are still available for laboratory protocols. In this review, we outline and discuss some of the most recent applications using microextractions techniques for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-based metabolomics, including potential research opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- João R Belinato
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology in Bioanalysis (INCTBio), Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Fernanda F G Dias
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology in Bioanalysis (INCTBio), Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline D Caliman
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology in Bioanalysis (INCTBio), Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Fabio Augusto
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology in Bioanalysis (INCTBio), Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Leandro W Hantao
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil.
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Gruber B, Weggler B, Jaramillo R, Murrell K, Piotrowski P, Dorman F. Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography in forensic science: A critical review of recent trends. Trends Analyt Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2018.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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15
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Prebihalo SE, Berrier KL, Freye CE, Bahaghighat HD, Moore NR, Pinkerton DK, Synovec RE. Multidimensional Gas Chromatography: Advances in Instrumentation, Chemometrics, and Applications. Anal Chem 2017; 90:505-532. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b04226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Prebihalo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Kelsey L. Berrier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Chris E. Freye
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - H. Daniel Bahaghighat
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York 10996, United States
| | - Nicholas R. Moore
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - David K. Pinkerton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Robert E. Synovec
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
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