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Furuta K, Byrne J, Luat K, Cheung C, Carter DO, Tipton L, Perrault Uptmor KA. Volatile organic compounds produced during postmortem processes can be linked via chromatographic profiles to individual postmortem bacterial species. J Chromatogr A 2024; 1728:465017. [PMID: 38797136 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2024.465017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Decomposition odor is produced during postmortem mammalian tissue breakdown by bacteria, insects, and intrinsic chemical processes. Past research has not thoroughly investigated which volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be linked directly to individual bacterial species on decomposing remains. The purpose of this study was to profile the VOCs produced over time by individual species of bacteria using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) to expand our foundational knowledge of what each bacterial species contributes to decomposition odor. Five different species of bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Ignatzschineria indica, Ignatzschineria ureiclastica, Curtobacterium luteum, and Vagococcus lutrae) were cultured on standard nutrient agar individually and monitored daily using solid phase microextraction arrow (SPME Arrow) and GC×GC in combination with quadrupole mass spectrometry (qMS) and flame ionization detection (FID). The GC×GC-qMS/FID approach was used to generate rich VOC profiles that represented the bacterial species' metabolic VOC production longitudinally. The data obtained from the chromatographic output was used to compare with a prior study using one-dimensional GC-qMS, and also between each of the five species to investigate the extent of overlap between species. No single VOC could be found in all five bacterial species investigated, and there was little overlap in the profile between species. To further visualize these differences, chromatographic peak data was investigated using two different ordination strategies, principal component analysis (PCA) and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA). The two ordination strategies were compared with each other using a Procrustes analysis. This was performed to understand differences in ordination strategies between the separation science community and chemical ecological community. Overall, ordination strategies were found to produce similar results, as evidenced by the correlation of PCA and PCoA in the Procrustes analysis. All analysis strategies yielded distinct VOC profiles for each species. Further study of additional species will support understanding of the holistic view of decomposition odor from a chemical ecology perspective, and further support our understanding of the production of decomposition odor that culminates from such a complex environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Furuta
- Laboratory of Forensic and Bioanalytical Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, United States
| | - Julianne Byrne
- Laboratory of Forensic and Bioanalytical Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, United States
| | - Kawailani Luat
- School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, United States
| | - Cynthia Cheung
- Laboratory of Forensic and Bioanalytical Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, United States
| | - David O Carter
- Laboratory of Forensic Taphonomy, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, United States
| | - Laura Tipton
- School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, United States; Departments of Biology and Mathematics & Statistics, James Madison University, United States
| | - Katelynn A Perrault Uptmor
- Laboratory of Forensic and Bioanalytical Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, United States; Nontargeted Separations Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, William & Mary, United States.
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2
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Thurn B, Schotsmans EMJ, Ueland M. Lime and odour: A preliminary investigation into the effect of hydrated lime on the volatiles emitted from human remains. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 358:111745. [PMID: 37301722 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The location of human remains is performed primarily through the aid of cadaver detection dogs, which rely on the malodour produced through decomposition of decaying bodies. Malefactors will attempt to conceal these putrefactive odours through chemical additions such as lime, which is also wrongly believed to accelerate decomposition and prevent the identification of the victim. Despite the frequency of lime in forensic applications, to date no research has been performed to determine its effect on the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during human decomposition. This research was therefore conducted to ascertain the effects of hydrated lime on the VOC profile of human remains. Two human donors were used in a field trial at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER): one donor was covered with hydrated lime, and the other had no chemical additions acting as a control. VOC samples were collected over a period of 100 days and analysed using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS). The volatile samples were accompanied by visual observations of how decomposition progressed. The results showed that lime application decreased the rate of decomposition and decreased total carrion insect activity. Lime increased the abundance of VOCs during the fresh and bloat stages of decay, however the abundance of compounds plateaued during active and advanced decomposition and were much lower than those detected from the control donor. Despite this suppression of VOCs, the study found that dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide, key sulfur-containing compounds, were still produced in high quantities, and can thus still be used to locate chemically altered human remains. Knowledge of the effects of lime on human decomposition can inform the training of cadaver detection dogs, and ensure a greater chance at locating victims of crimes or mass disasters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget Thurn
- Centre for Forensic Sciences, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Eline M J Schotsmans
- Centre for Archaeological Science, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; PACEA De la Préhistoire à l'Actuel: Culture, Environnement et Anthropologie, UMR 5199, Université de Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | - Maiken Ueland
- Centre for Forensic Sciences, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
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3
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Geissenberger J, Pittner S, Ehrenfellner B, Jakob L, Stoiber W, Monticelli FC, Steinbacher P. Effect of temporary freezing on postmortem protein degradation patterns. Int J Legal Med 2023; 137:1803-1814. [PMID: 37268796 PMCID: PMC10567868 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-03024-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A precise determination of time since death plays a major role in forensic routine. Currently available techniques for estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) are restricted to specific time periods or cannot be applied for individual case-specific reasons. During recent years, it has been repeatedly demonstrated that Western blot analysis of postmortem muscle protein degradation can substantially contribute to overcome these limitations in cases with different background. Enabling to delimit time points at which certain marker proteins undergo distinct degradation events, the method has become a reasonable new tool for PMI delimitation under various forensic scenarios. However, additional research is yet required to improve our understanding of protein decomposition and how it is affected by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Since there are temperature limits for proteolysis, and investigators are confronted with frozen corpses, investigation of the effects of freezing and thawing on postmortem protein decomposition in the muscle tissue is an important objective to firmly establish the new method. It is also important because freezing is often the only practical means to intermittently preserve tissue samples from both true cases and animal model research. METHODS Sets of dismembered pig hind limbs, either freshly detached non-frozen, or thawed after 4 months of freeze-storage (n = 6 each), were left to decompose under controlled conditions at 30 °C for 7 days and 10 days, respectively. Samples of the M. biceps femoris were regularly collected at predefined time points. All samples were processed via SDS-PAGE and Western blotting to identify the degradation patterns of previously characterized muscle proteins. RESULTS Western blots show that the proteins degrade predictably over time in precise patterns that are largely unaffected by the freeze-and-thaw process. Investigated proteins showed complete degradation of the native protein band, partly giving rise to degradation products present in distinct time phases of the decomposition process. CONCLUSION This study provides substantial new information from a porcine model to assess the degree of bias that freezing and thawing induces on postmortem degradation of skeletal muscle proteins. Results support that a freeze-thaw cycle with prolonged storage in frozen state has no significant impact on the decomposition behavior. This will help to equip the protein degradation-based method for PMI determination with a robust applicability in the normal forensic setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Geissenberger
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - S Pittner
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - B Ehrenfellner
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - L Jakob
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - W Stoiber
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - F C Monticelli
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - P Steinbacher
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
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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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6
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Geissenberger J, Amendt J, Klampfer J, Thuemmel L, Jakob L, Monticelli FC, Steinbacher P, Pittner S. Morphological changes and protein degradation during the decomposition process of pig cadavers placed outdoors or in tents-a pilot study. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2023:10.1007/s12024-023-00632-3. [PMID: 37126198 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-023-00632-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The delimitation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is of utmost importance in forensic science. It is especially difficult to determine the PMI in advanced decomposition stages and/or when dead bodies are found under uncommon circumstances, such as tents, or other (semi-) enclosed environments. In such cases, especially when insect access is restricted, morphological assessment of body decomposition is one of the remaining approaches for delimitation of the PMI. However, as this method allows only vague statements/indications about the PMI, it is required to develop new and more reliable methods. One of the most important candidates is the biochemical analysis of protein degradation. In this regard, it has been demonstrated that specific skeletal muscle protein degradation patterns characterize certain time points postmortem and thus can be used as markers for PMI estimation. In order to test this method in different micro-environments, a pilot study using ten pig carcasses was conducted in summer in Northern Germany. The cadavers were openly placed outside (freely accessible for insects), as well as enclosed in tents nearby, and left to decompose to investigate decomposition processes over a time course of 10 days. Muscle samples of the M. biceps femoris were collected on a regular basis and processed via SDS-PAGE and degradation patterns of selected proteins identified by Western blotting. In addition, morphological changes of the cadavers during decomposition were assessed using the total body score (TBS). Results showed that postmortem protein degradation patterns are largely consistent between treatment groups (open field versus tents) despite major morphological differences in the decomposition rate. This field study provides evidence that muscle protein degradation is mostly unaffected by different levels of exposure, making it a sufficient candidate for PMI delimitation under various circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Geissenberger
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - J Amendt
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - J Klampfer
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - L Thuemmel
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - L Jakob
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - F C Monticelli
- Department of Legal Medicine and Forensic Neuropsychiatry, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - P Steinbacher
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - S Pittner
- Department of Legal Medicine and Forensic Neuropsychiatry, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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7
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Potential of direct immersion solid-phase microextraction to characterize dissolved volatile organic compounds released by submerged decaying rat cadavers. Forensic Chem 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2023.100488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
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8
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von Hoermann C, Weithmann S, Sikorski J, Nevo O, Szpila K, Grzywacz A, Grunwald JE, Reckel F, Overmann J, Steiger S, Ayasse M. Linking bacteria, volatiles and insects on carrion: the role of temporal and spatial factors regulating inter-kingdom communication via volatiles. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220555. [PMID: 36061525 PMCID: PMC9428529 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Multi-kingdom community complexity and the chemically mediated dynamics between bacteria and insects have recently received increased attention in carrion research. However, the strength of these inter-kingdom interactions and the factors that regulate them are poorly studied. We used 75 piglet cadavers across three forest regions to survey the relationship between three actors (epinecrotic bacteria, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and flies) during the first 4 days of decomposition and the factors that regulate this interdependence. The results showed a dynamic bacterial change during decomposition (temperature-time index) and across the forest management gradient, but not between regions. Similarly, VOC emission was dynamic across a temperature-time index and the forest management gradient but did not differ between regions. However, fly occurrence was dynamic across both space and time. The strong interdependence between the three actors was mainly regulated by the temperature-time index and the study regions, thereby revealing regulation at temporal and spatial scales. Additionally, the actor interdependence was stable across a gradient of forest management intensity. By combining different actors of decomposition, we have expanded our knowledge of the holistic mechanisms regulating carrion community dynamics and inter-kingdom interactions, an important precondition for better describing food web dynamics and entire ecosystem functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian von Hoermann
- Department of Conservation and Research, Bavarian Forest National Park, Grafenau, Germany
| | - Sandra Weithmann
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Johannes Sikorski
- Department of Microbial Ecology and Diversity Research, Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Omer Nevo
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Krzysztof Szpila
- Department of Ecology and Biogeography, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
| | - Andrzej Grzywacz
- Department of Ecology and Biogeography, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
| | - Jan-Eric Grunwald
- Bavarian State Criminal Police Office, SG 204, Microtraces/Biology, 80636 Munich, Germany
| | - Frank Reckel
- Bavarian State Criminal Police Office, SG 204, Microtraces/Biology, 80636 Munich, Germany
| | - Jörg Overmann
- Department of Microbial Ecology and Diversity Research, Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sandra Steiger
- Department of Evolutionary Animal Ecology, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Manfred Ayasse
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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9
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Yao Y, Artigas FJ, Fan S, Gao Y. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Air Quality in Metropolitan New Jersey. WATER, AIR, AND SOIL POLLUTION 2022; 233:289. [PMID: 35875407 PMCID: PMC9296220 DOI: 10.1007/s11270-022-05764-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Improved air quality has been the silver lining of the pandemic since early 2020. The air quality in northern New Jersey (NJ) was continuously measured during the COVID-19 pandemic and through the three stages of recovery, i.e., the Stay-at-home stage, Reopening stage 1, and Reopening stage 2. A significant change in air quality was observed during the Stay-at-home stage (March 16 to May 16, 2020) as most people stayed home and industrial activity decreased 60%. Compared to 2019, carbon dioxide (CO2) decreased 17%, carbon monoxide (CO) decreased 7%, and nitrogen oxides (NOx) decreased 51% during the Stay-at-home stage in 2020. However, the ground-level ozone (O3) increased in 2020 because of the reduced NOx emission and the possibly increased levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) due to warmer weather. With the step-by-step reopening process, the difference in local CO2 levels between 2019 and 2020 was reduced, and the NOx concentration returned to its 2019 level. The CO2 concentrations were positively correlated with CO, and the NOx concentrations were negatively correlated with O3. Under the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, NJ consumed 14% less natural gas and 21% less gasoline; therefore, the CO2, CO, and NOx emissions and concentration levels were reduced besides the effects of meteorology parameters on air quality in metropolitan New Jersey. Our findings support that replacing fossil fuels with electric or renewable energy in the transportation systems and industry could be beneficial for the concentration reduction of certain greenhouse gases. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11270-022-05764-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Yao
- Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute, New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, 1 Dekorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 USA
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07102 USA
| | - Francisco J. Artigas
- Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute, New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, 1 Dekorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 USA
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07102 USA
| | - Songyun Fan
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07102 USA
| | - Yuan Gao
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07102 USA
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10
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Doro KO, Kolapkar AM, Bank CG, Wescott DJ, Mickleburgh HL. Geophysical imaging of buried human remains in simulated mass and single graves: Experiment design and results from pre-burial to six months after burial. Forensic Sci Int 2022; 335:111289. [PMID: 35397358 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we present an experiment design and assess the capability of multiple geophysical techniques to image buried human remains in mass and individual graves using human cadavers willingly donated for scientific research. The study is part of a novel, interdisciplinary mass grave experiment established in May 2021 which consists of a mass grave with 6 human remains, 3 individual graves and 2 empty control graves dug to the same size as the mass grave and individual graves. Prior to establishing the graves, we conducted background measurements of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), electromagnetics (EM), and ground penetrating radar (GPR) while soil profiles were analyzed in situ after excavating the graves. All graves were also instrumented with soil sensors for monitoring temporal changes in soil moisture, temperature, and electrical conductivity in situ. Measurements of ERT, EM and GPR were repeated 3, 37, 71 and 185 days after burial with further repeated measurements planned for another twelve months. ERT results show an initial increase in resistivity in all graves including the control graves at 3 days after burial and a continuous decrease thereafter in the mass and individual graves with the strongest decrease in the mass grave. Conductivity distribution from the EM shows a similar trend to the ERT with an initial decrease in the first 3 days after burial. Distortion in linear reflectors, presence of small hyperbolas and isolated strong amplitude reflectors in the GPR profiles across the graves is associated with known locations of the graves. These initial results validate the capability of geoelectrical methods in detecting anomalies associated with disturbed ground and human decay while GPR though show some success is limited by the geology of the site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kennedy O Doro
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo, OH, US.
| | - Amar M Kolapkar
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo, OH, US
| | | | - Daniel J Wescott
- Forensic Anthropology Center, Texas State University, San Marcos 78666 TX, US
| | - Hayley L Mickleburgh
- Department of Cultural Sciences, Linnaeus University, Växjö 35195, Sweden; Forensic Anthropology Center, Texas State University, San Marcos 78666 TX, US
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11
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Alfsdotter C, Petaros A. Outdoor human decomposition in Sweden: A retrospective quantitative study of forensic-taphonomic changes and postmortem interval in terrestrial and aquatic settings. J Forensic Sci 2021; 66:1348-1363. [PMID: 33951184 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents a quantitative retrospective study of gross human decomposition in central and southeastern Sweden. The applicability of methods developed abroad for postmortem interval (PMI) estimation from decomposition morphology and temperature are is evaluated. Ninety-four cases were analyzed (43 terrestrial and 51 aquatic) with a median PMI of 48 days. The results revealed differences in decomposition patterns between aquatic, surface, hanging, and buried remains. While partial saponification and desiccation occurred in cases of surface remains, complete skeletonization was observed in all cases with a PMI over two years. Aquatic skeletonization was slower due to extensive saponification in cases with PMI higher than one year. Formulae for assessing accumulated degree-days (ADD) from the original methods did not fit the study material. However, a regression analysis demonstrated that 80% of decomposition variance in surface remains could be explained by ADD, suggesting that a geographically adapted equation holds promise for assessing PMI. In contrast, the model fit was poor for aquatic cases (43%). While this may be explained by problems in obtaining reliant aquatic temperature data or an insufficient scoring system, aquatic decomposition may be highly dependent on factors other than ADD alone. This study evaluates the applicability of current PMI methods on an outdoor sample from a previously unpublished region, and represents the first scientific publication of human outdoor decomposition patterns in Sweden. Suggestions for future research are provided, including that scoring methods should incorporate saponification to fit forensic taphonomy in Swedish environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Alfsdotter
- Faculty of Art and Humanities, School of Cultural Studies, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Anja Petaros
- Division of Forensic Medicine in Linköping, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
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12
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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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DeBruyn JM, Hoeland KM, Taylor LS, Stevens JD, Moats MA, Bandopadhyay S, Dearth SP, Castro HF, Hewitt KK, Campagna SR, Dautartas AM, Vidoli GM, Mundorff AZ, Steadman DW. Comparative Decomposition of Humans and Pigs: Soil Biogeochemistry, Microbial Activity and Metabolomic Profiles. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:608856. [PMID: 33519758 PMCID: PMC7838218 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.608856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Vertebrate decomposition processes have important ecological implications and, in the case of human decomposition, forensic applications. Animals, especially domestic pigs (Sus scrofa), are frequently used as human analogs in forensic decomposition studies. However, recent research shows that humans and pigs do not necessarily decompose in the same manner, with differences in decomposition rates, patterns, and scavenging. The objective of our study was to extend these observations and determine if human and pig decomposition in terrestrial settings have different local impacts on soil biogeochemistry and microbial activity. In two seasonal trials (summer and winter), we simultaneously placed replicate human donors and pig carcasses on the soil surface and allowed them to decompose. In both human and pig decomposition-impacted soils, we observed elevated microbial respiration, protease activity, and ammonium, indicative of enhanced microbial ammonification and limited nitrification in soil during soft tissue decomposition. Soil respiration was comparable between summer and winter, indicating similar microbial activity; however, the magnitude of the pulse of decomposition products was greater in the summer. Using untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics approaches, we identified 38 metabolites and 54 lipids that were elevated in both human and pig decomposition-impacted soils. The most frequently detected metabolites were anthranilate, creatine, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, taurine, xanthine, N-acetylglutamine, acetyllysine, and sedoheptulose 1/7-phosphate; the most frequently detected lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and monogalactosyldiacylglycerol. Decomposition soils were also significantly enriched in metabolites belonging to amino acid metabolic pathways and the TCA cycle. Comparing humans and pigs, we noted several differences in soil biogeochemical responses. Soils under humans decreased in pH as decomposition progressed, while under pigs, soil pH increased. Additionally, under pigs we observed significantly higher ammonium and protease activities compared to humans. We identified several metabolites that were elevated in human decomposition soil compared to pig decomposition soil, including 2-oxo-4-methylthiobutanoate, sn-glycerol 3-phosphate, and tryptophan, suggesting different decomposition chemistries and timing between the two species. Together, our work shows that human and pig decomposition differ in terms of their impacts on soil biogeochemistry and microbial decomposer activities, adding to our understanding of decomposition ecology and informing the use of non-human models in forensic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M DeBruyn
- Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Katharina M Hoeland
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Lois S Taylor
- Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Jessica D Stevens
- Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Michelle A Moats
- Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Sreejata Bandopadhyay
- Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Stephen P Dearth
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Hector F Castro
- Biological and Small Molecule Mass Spectrometry Core, Department of Chemistry, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Kaitlin K Hewitt
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Shawn R Campagna
- Biological and Small Molecule Mass Spectrometry Core, Department of Chemistry, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Angela M Dautartas
- Department of Anthropology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Giovanna M Vidoli
- Department of Anthropology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Amy Z Mundorff
- Department of Anthropology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Dawnie W Steadman
- Department of Anthropology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
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14
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Characterization of the volatile odor profile from larval masses in a field decomposition setting. Forensic Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2020.100288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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15
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Han H, Liu Z, Meng F, Jiang Y, Cai J. Identification of olfactory genes of a forensically important blow fly, Aldrichina grahami (Diptera: Calliphoridae). PeerJ 2020; 8:e9581. [PMID: 32844056 PMCID: PMC7414772 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The time-length between the first colonization of necrophagous insect on the corpse and the beginning of investigation represents the most important forensic concept of minimum post-mortem inference (PMImin). Before colonization, the time spent by an insect to detect and locate a corpse could significantly influence the PMImin estimation. The olfactory system plays an important role in insect food foraging behavior. Proteins like odorant binding proteins (OBPs), chemosensory proteins (CSPs), odorant receptors (ORs), ionotropic receptors (IRs) and sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs) represent the most important parts of this system. Exploration of the above genes and their necrophagous products should facilitate not only the understanding of their roles in forging but also their influence on the period before PMImin. Transcriptome sequencing has been wildly utilized to reveal the expression of particular genes under different temporal and spatial condition in a high throughput way. In this study, transcriptomic study was implemented on antennae of adult Aldrichina grahami (Aldrich) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), a necrophagous insect with forensic significance, to reveal the composition and expression feature of OBPs, CSPs, ORs, IRs and SNMPs genes at transcriptome level. Method Antennae transcriptome sequencing of A. grahami was performed using next-generation deep sequencing on the platform of BGISEQ-500. The raw data were deposited into NCBI (PRJNA513084). All the transcripts were functionally annotated using Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed between female and male antennae. The transcripts of OBPs, CSPs, ORs, IRs and SNMPs were identified based on sequence feature. Phylogenetic development of olfactory genes of A. grahami with other species was analyzed using MEGA 5.0. RT-qPCR was utilized to verify gene expression generated from the transcriptome sequencing. Results In total, 14,193 genes were annotated in the antennae transcriptome based on the GO and the KEGG databases. We found that 740 DEGs were differently expressed between female and male antennae. Among those, 195 transcripts were annotated as candidate olfactory genes then checked by sequence feature. Of these, 27 OBPs, one CSPs, 49 ORs, six IRs and two SNMPs were finally identified in antennae of A. grahami. Phylogenetic development suggested that some olfactory genes may play a role in food forging, perception of pheromone and decomposing odors. Conclusion Overall, our results suggest the existence of gender and spatial expression differences in olfactory genes from antennae of A. grahami. Such differences are likely to greatly influence insect behavior around a corpse. In addition, candidate olfactory genes with predicted function provide valuable information for further studies of the molecular mechanisms of olfactory detection of forensically important fly species and thus deepen our understanding of the period before PMImin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Han
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhuoying Liu
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Departments of Anesthesiology and Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Fanming Meng
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yangshuai Jiang
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jifeng Cai
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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16
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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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17
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Martin C, Minchilli D, Francis F, Verheggen F. Behavioral and Electrophysiological Responses of the Fringed Larder Beetle Dermestes frischii to the Smell of a Cadaver at Different Decomposition Stages. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11040238. [PMID: 32290328 PMCID: PMC7240428 DOI: 10.3390/insects11040238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A cadaver is colonized by a wide diversity of necrophagous insects. It is well documented that Dipterans are attracted by the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by a corpse during the first minutes following death. Coleopterans are known to be attracted by highly decomposed cadavers, but have received less attention regarding the olfaction-based mechanisms underlying these interactions. In the present study, we impregnated gauzes with VOCs collected from each decomposition stage of dead rats: fresh, bloated, active, and advanced decay. We collected the VOCs released by the gauze and confirmed what was previously know from the literature: the decomposition stages are associated with contrasting chemical profiles. We exposed Dermestes frischii Kugelann (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) male and female antennae to the same gauzes and found that stronger electrical responses were recorded when using the smell of the advanced decay stage. Finally, we performed two choices behavioral assays. Females showed no preference for the four decomposition stages, while males were attracted by the smell associated with active and advanced decay stages. These results suggest that specific VOCs released by a decaying body guide necrophagous coleopterans to their feeding site. Whether D. frischii males release pheromones to attract females remains to be tested.
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18
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Recinos-Aguilar YM, García-García MD, Malo EA, Cruz-López L, Rojas JC. The Colonization of Necrophagous Larvae Accelerates the Decomposition of Chicken Carcass and the Emission of Volatile Attractants for Blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 56:1590-1597. [PMID: 31265073 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjz104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The decomposition of a living being involves a series of changes produced by a number of interacting abiotic and biotic factors. In this study, we analyzed the effect of the colonization of blowflies on the decomposition of chicken carcasses and on the emission of sulfur compounds. The loss of the mass of carcasses and the release rate of sulfur compounds were compared for 30 d in chicken carcasses with and without blowflies in field conditions. The tissue degradation was slower in the carcasses without insects compared to those colonized by blowflies. The decomposition stages of fresh, bloated, active decay, and advanced decay were observed in the carcasses without flies; while the decomposition stages of fresh, active decay, advanced decay, and dry remains were identified in carcasses with flies. Two sulfur compounds, dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide, were present during the entire decomposition process. The emission of these compounds is not directly associated with the presence of the blowflies' immature stages during the whole decomposition process. However, in cadavers with insects, the highest emission of both compounds occurred in day 2, while in cadavers without insects, the peak of emission was observed in day 4. In addition, the presence of the larval stages I and II of Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann, 1819) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart, 1842) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), and Cochliomyia macellaria Fabricius, 1775 (Diptera: Calliphoridae) matched with the peak of emission of both compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yensy María Recinos-Aguilar
- Grupo de Ecología de Artrópodos y Manejo de Plagas, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Tapachula, Carretera Antiguo Aeropuerto, CP, Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico
| | - Maria Dolores García-García
- Facultad de Biología, Departamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, Campus Universitario de Espinardo, Murcia, España
| | - Edi A Malo
- Grupo de Ecología de Artrópodos y Manejo de Plagas, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Tapachula, Carretera Antiguo Aeropuerto, CP, Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico
| | - Leopoldo Cruz-López
- Grupo de Ecología de Artrópodos y Manejo de Plagas, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Tapachula, Carretera Antiguo Aeropuerto, CP, Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico
| | - Julio C Rojas
- Grupo de Ecología de Artrópodos y Manejo de Plagas, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Tapachula, Carretera Antiguo Aeropuerto, CP, Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico
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19
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Savareear B, Escobar-Arnanz J, Brokl M, Saxton MJ, Wright C, Liu C, Focant JF. Non-targeted analysis of the particulate phase of heated tobacco product aerosol and cigarette mainstream tobacco smoke by thermal desorption comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with dual flame ionisation and mass spectrometric detection. J Chromatogr A 2019; 1603:327-337. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2019.06.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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20
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Cernosek T, Eckert KE, Carter DO, Perrault KA. Volatile Organic Compound Profiling from Postmortem Microbes using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. J Forensic Sci 2019; 65:134-143. [PMID: 31479524 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are by-products of cadaveric decomposition and are responsible for the odor associated with decomposing remains. The direct link between VOC production and individual postmortem microbes has not been well characterized experimentally. The purpose of this study was to profile VOCs released from three postmortem bacterial isolates (Bacillus subtilis, Ignatzschineria indica, I. ureiclastica) using solid-phase microextraction arrow (SPME Arrow) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Species were inoculated in headspace vials on Standard Nutrient Agar and monitored over 5 days at 24°C. Each species exhibited a different VOC profile that included common decomposition VOCs. VOCs exhibited upward or downward temporal trends over time. Ignatzschineria indica produced a large amount of dimethyldisulfide. Other compounds of interest included alcohols, aldehydes, aromatics, and ketones. This provides foundational data to link decomposition odor with specific postmortem microbes to improve understanding of underlying mechanisms for decomposition VOC production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terezie Cernosek
- Laboratory of Forensic and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Forensic Sciences Unit, Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, 3140 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI
| | - Kevin E Eckert
- Laboratory of Forensic and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Forensic Sciences Unit, Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, 3140 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI
| | - David O Carter
- Laboratory of Forensic Taphonomy, Forensic Sciences Unit, Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, 3140 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI
| | - Katelynn A Perrault
- Laboratory of Forensic and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Forensic Sciences Unit, Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, 3140 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI
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21
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Deo A, Forbes SL, Stuart BH, Ueland M. Profiling the seasonal variability of decomposition odour from human remains in a temperate Australian environment. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2019.1637938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alisha Deo
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia
| | - Shari L. Forbes
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia
| | - Barbara H. Stuart
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia
| | - Maiken Ueland
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia
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22
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Amaral MSS, Marriott PJ. The Blossoming of Technology for the Analysis of Complex Aroma Bouquets-A Review on Flavour and Odorant Multidimensional and Comprehensive Gas Chromatography Applications. Molecules 2019; 24:E2080. [PMID: 31159223 PMCID: PMC6600270 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24112080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Multidimensional approaches in gas chromatography have been established as potent tools to (almost) attain fully resolved analyses. Flavours and odours are important application fields for these techniques since they include complex matrices, and are of interest for both scientific study and to consumers. This article is a review of the main research studies in the above theme, discussing the achievements and challenges that demonstrate a maturing of analytical separation technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle S S Amaral
- Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science, School of Chemistry, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
| | - Philip J Marriott
- Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science, School of Chemistry, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
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23
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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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24
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Irish L, Rennie SR, Parkes GMB, Williams A. Identification of decomposition volatile organic compounds from surface-deposited and submerged porcine remains. Sci Justice 2019; 59:503-515. [PMID: 31472795 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2019.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Cadaver dogs are routinely used internationally by police and civilian search organisations to locate human remains on land and in water, yet little is currently known about the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are released by a cadaver underwater; how this compares to those given off by a cadaver deposited on land; and ultimately, how this affects the detection of drowned victims by dogs. The aim of this study was to identify the VOCs released by whole porcine (Sus scrofa domesticus) cadavers deposited on the surface and submerged in water using solid phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry (SPME GC-MS) to ascertain if there are notable differences in decomposition odour depending on the deposition location. For the first time in the UK, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the headspace of decomposing porcine cadavers deposited in both terrestrial and water environments have been detected and identified using SPME-GCMS, including thirteen new VOCs not previously detected from porcine cadavers. Distinct differences were found between the VOCs emitted by porcine cadavers in terrestrial and water environments. In total, seventy-four VOCs were identified from a variety of different chemical classes; carboxylic acids, alcohols, aromatics, aldehydes, ketones, hydrocarbons, esters, ethers, nitrogen compounds and sulphur compounds. Only forty-one VOCs were detected in the headspace of the submerged pigs with seventy detected in the headspace of the surface-deposited pigs. These deposition-dependent differences have important implications for the training of cadaver dogs in the UK. If dog training does not account for these depositional differences, there is potential for human remains to be missed. Whilst the specific odours that elicit a trained response from cadaver dogs remain unknown, this research means that recommendations can be made for the training of cadaver dogs to incorporate different depositions, to account for odour differences and mitigate the possibility of missed human remains operationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Irish
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - S R Rennie
- Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - G M B Parkes
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - A Williams
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
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25
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Pesesse R, Stefanuto PH, Schleich F, Louis R, Focant JF. Multimodal chemometric approach for the analysis of human exhaled breath in lung cancer patients by TD-GC × GC-TOFMS. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2019; 1114-1115:146-153. [PMID: 30745111 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2019.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in developed countries. To reduce its mortality rate, it is important to enhance our capability to detect it at earlier stages by developing early diagnostic methods. In that context, the analysis of exhaled breath is an interesting approach because of the simplicity of the medical act and its non-invasiveness. Thermal desorption comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time of flight mass spectrometry (TD-GC × GC-TOFMS) has been used to characterize and compare the volatile content of human breath of lung cancer patients and healthy volunteers. On the sampling side, the contaminations induced by the bags membrane and further environmental migration of VOCs during and after the sampling have also been investigated. Over a realistic period of 6 h, the concentration of contaminants inside the bag can increase from 2 to 3 folds based on simulated breath samples. On the data processing side, Fisher ratio (FR) and random forest (RF) approaches were applied and compared in regards to their ability to reduce the data dimensionality and to extract the significant information. Both approaches allow to efficiently smooth the background signal and extract significant features (27 for FR and 17 for RF). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to evaluate the clustering capacity of the different models. For both approaches, a separation along PC-1 was obtained with a variance score around 35%. The combined model provides a partial separation with a PC-1 score of 52%. This proof-of-concept study further confirms the potential of breath analysis for cancer detection but also underlines the importance of quality control over the full analytical procedure, including the processing of the data.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Pesesse
- Organic and Biological Analytical Chemistry Group, MolSys Research Unit, University of Liège, B6c, Agora District, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - P-H Stefanuto
- Organic and Biological Analytical Chemistry Group, MolSys Research Unit, University of Liège, B6c, Agora District, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - F Schleich
- Pneumology and Allergology, GIGA Research Group, CHU of Liège, University of Liege, B35, Hospital District, Liege, Belgium
| | - R Louis
- Pneumology and Allergology, GIGA Research Group, CHU of Liège, University of Liege, B35, Hospital District, Liege, Belgium
| | - J-F Focant
- Organic and Biological Analytical Chemistry Group, MolSys Research Unit, University of Liège, B6c, Agora District, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
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Savareear B, Escobar-Arnanz J, Brokl M, Saxton MJ, Wright C, Liu C, Focant JF. Comprehensive comparative compositional study of the vapour phase of cigarette mainstream tobacco smoke and tobacco heating product aerosol. J Chromatogr A 2018; 1581-1582:105-115. [PMID: 30455053 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2018.10.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
A simple direct sample collection/dilution and introduction method was developed using quartz wool and Tenax/sulficarb sorbents for thermal desorption and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (TD-GC × GC) analyses of volatile organic compounds from vapour phase (VP) fractions of aerosol produced by tobacco heating products (THP1.0) and 3R4F mainstream tobacco smoke (MTS). Analyses were carried out using flame ionisation detection (FID) for semi-quantification and both low and high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LR/HR-TOFMS) for qualitative comparison and peak assignment. Qualitative analysis was carried out by combining identification data based on linear retention indices (LRIs) with a match window of ±10 index units, mass spectral forward and reverse library searches (from LR and HRTOFMS spectra) with a match factor threshold of >700 (both forward and reverse), and accurate mass values of ± 3 ppm for increased confidence in peak identification. Using this comprehensive approach of data mining, a total of 79 out of 85 compounds and a total of 198 out of 202 compounds were identified in THP1.0 aerosol and in 3R4F MTS, respectively. Among the identified analytes, a set of 35 compounds was found in both VP sample types. Semi-quantitative analyses were carried out using a chemical class-based external calibration method. Acyclic, alicyclic, aromatic hydrocarbons and ketones appeared to be prominent in 3R4F MTS VP, whereas larger amounts of aldehydes, ketones, heterocyclic hydrocarbons and esters were present in THP1.0 aerosol VP. The results demontsrate the capability and versatility of the method for the characterization and comparison of complex aerosol samples and highlighted the relative chemical simplicity of THP1.0 aerosol in comparison to MTS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Savareear
- Centre for Analytical Research and Technologies (CART), University of Liege, Belgium
| | - Juan Escobar-Arnanz
- Centre for Analytical Research and Technologies (CART), University of Liege, Belgium
| | - Michał Brokl
- Research and Development, British American Tobacco, Southampton, UK
| | - Malcolm J Saxton
- Research and Development, British American Tobacco, Southampton, UK
| | - Chris Wright
- Research and Development, British American Tobacco, Southampton, UK
| | - Chuan Liu
- Research and Development, British American Tobacco, Southampton, UK
| | - Jean-François Focant
- Centre for Analytical Research and Technologies (CART), University of Liege, Belgium.
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Giannoukos S, Agapiou A, Brkić B, Taylor S. Volatolomics: A broad area of experimentation. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2018; 1105:136-147. [PMID: 30584978 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2018.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Chemical analysis (detection and monitoring) of compounds associated with the metabolic activities of an organism is at the cutting edge of science. Volatile metabolomics (volatolomics) are applied in a broad range of applications including: biomedical research (e.g. disease diagnostic tools, personalized healthcare and nutrition, etc.), toxicological analysis (e.g. exposure tool to environmental pollutants, toxic and hazardous chemical environments, industrial accidents, etc.), molecular communications, forensics, safety and security (e.g. search and rescue operations). In the present review paper, an overview of recent advances and applications of volatolomics will be given. The main focus will be on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) originating from biological secretions of various organisms (e.g. microorganisms, insects, plants, humans) and resulting fusion of chemical information. Bench-top and portable or field-deployable technologies-systems will also be presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Giannoukos
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), 5232 Villigen, Switzerland; University of Liverpool, Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, Liverpool L69 3GJ, UK
| | - A Agapiou
- University of Cyprus, Department of Chemistry, P.O. Box 20357, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - B Brkić
- BioSense Institute, University of Novi Sad, Dr Zorana Đinđića 1, 21 101 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - S Taylor
- University of Liverpool, Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, Liverpool L69 3GJ, UK; Q Technologies Ltd, 100 Childwall Road, Liverpool L15 6UX, UK.
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Perrault KA, Dubois LM, Cnuts D, Rots V, Focant JF, Stefanuto PH. Characterization of hafting adhesives using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry. SEPARATION SCIENCE PLUS 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/sscp.201800111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katelynn A. Perrault
- Organic and Biological Analytical Chemistry Group; University of Liège; Liège Belgium
- Forensic Sciences Unit; Chaminade University of Honolulu; Honolulu HI USA
| | - Lena M. Dubois
- Organic and Biological Analytical Chemistry Group; University of Liège; Liège Belgium
| | - Dries Cnuts
- TraceoLab / Prehistory - University of Liège; Liège Belgium
| | - Veerle Rots
- TraceoLab / Prehistory - University of Liège; Liège Belgium
| | - Jean-François Focant
- Organic and Biological Analytical Chemistry Group; University of Liège; Liège Belgium
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Poché RM, Poché D, Franckowiak G, Somers DJ, Briley LN, Tseveenjav B, Polyakova L. Field evaluation of low-dose warfarin baits to control wild pigs (Sus scrofa) in North Texas. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206070. [PMID: 30403690 PMCID: PMC6221311 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are a highly detrimental invasive species that occupy a rapidly expanding range within the United States. In Australia, field trials evaluating baits containing 0.09% warfarin resulted in wild pig population reduction >95%. The objective of this study was to conduct an EPA-approved field trial to evaluate the use of bait containing low-dose warfarin (0.01% and 0.005%) in reducing wild pig numbers in Texas. An 8-week field test was conducted in the panhandle ~100 km southeast of Amarillo. Two ~8 km2 treatment plots were selected and each presented with either 0.01% or 0.005% warfarin baits. One control plot (~8 km2) was presented placebo. The baits were delivered using 30 species-specific feeders per plot (n = 90) that kept wildlife from accessing the toxicant. Pig movements and feed consumption were monitored during pre-treatment, treatment, and post-treatment periods. All pigs with VHF transmitters within the 0.005% warfarin-treated plot (n = 14) succumbed to the warfarin (100% mortality). Overall, 35 wild pigs were found dead from warfarin toxicosis, within both treatment plots. Total feed consumption by wild pigs was reduced by ~97.8% and ~96.2% for the 0.005% and 0.01% warfarin baited plots, respectively, indicating the absence of pigs was a result of toxic bait consumption. Results of 97 systematic searches of the treatment plots indicated no warfarin-induced non-target wildlife fatalities. Warfarin residues in wild pig livers averaged 3.69 mg/kg (n = 13) and 2.89 mg/kg (n = 9) for pigs recovered within the 0.005% plot and 0.01% warfarin plot, respectively. This study is the first efficacy field evaluation of a wild pig toxicant conducted in the US. The results suggest low-dose warfarin bait, presented in species-specific feeders, can effectively reduce wild pig numbers and pose minimal risk to non-target wildlife and domestic animals. A product containing warfarin may provide another management tool in reducing wild pig problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard M. Poché
- Genesis Laboratories, Inc., Wellington, Colorado, United States of America
| | - David Poché
- Genesis Laboratories, Inc., Wellington, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Greg Franckowiak
- Genesis Laboratories, Inc., Wellington, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Daniel J. Somers
- Genesis Laboratories, Inc., Wellington, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Lindsay N. Briley
- Genesis Laboratories, Inc., Wellington, Colorado, United States of America
| | | | - Larisa Polyakova
- Genesis Laboratories, Inc., Wellington, Colorado, United States of America
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Rendine M, Fiore C, Bertozzi G, De Carlo D, Filetti V, Fortarezza P, Riezzo I. Decomposing Human Blood: Canine Detection Odor Signature and Volatile Organic Compounds. J Forensic Sci 2018; 64:587-592. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Rendine
- Section of Legal Medicine Azienda Ospedaliero – Universitaria “Ospedali Riuniti” of Foggia Ospedale Colonnello D'Avanzo Viale degli Aviatori 1 71100 Foggia Italy
| | - Carmela Fiore
- Section of Forensic Toxicology Ospedale G. Tatarella Via Trinitapoli 71042 Cerignola (FG) Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bertozzi
- Section of Legal Medicine Azienda Ospedaliero – Universitaria “Ospedali Riuniti” of Foggia Ospedale Colonnello D'Avanzo Viale degli Aviatori 1 71100 Foggia Italy
| | - Dania De Carlo
- Section of Legal Medicine Azienda Ospedaliero – Universitaria “Ospedali Riuniti” of Foggia Ospedale Colonnello D'Avanzo Viale degli Aviatori 1 71100 Foggia Italy
| | - Vera Filetti
- Anatomy and Histology Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnologies University of Catania Via Santa Sofia 78 95123 Catania Sicily Italy
| | - Palmira Fortarezza
- Section of Forensic Toxicology Ospedale G. Tatarella Via Trinitapoli 71042 Cerignola (FG) Italy
| | - Irene Riezzo
- Section of Legal Medicine Azienda Ospedaliero – Universitaria “Ospedali Riuniti” of Foggia Ospedale Colonnello D'Avanzo Viale degli Aviatori 1 71100 Foggia Italy
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Wescott DJ. Recent advances in forensic anthropology: decomposition research. Forensic Sci Res 2018; 3:327-342. [PMID: 30788450 PMCID: PMC6374978 DOI: 10.1080/20961790.2018.1488571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Decomposition research is still in its infancy, but significant advances have occurred within forensic anthropology and other disciplines in the past several decades. Decomposition research in forensic anthropology has primarily focused on estimating the postmortem interval (PMI), detecting clandestine remains, and interpreting the context of the scene. Additionally, while much of the work has focused on forensic-related questions, an interdisciplinary focus on the ecology of decomposition has also advanced our knowledge. The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the fundamental shifts that have occurred to advance decomposition research, such as the role of primary extrinsic factors, the application of decomposition research to the detection of clandestine remains and the estimation of the PMI in forensic anthropology casework. Future research in decomposition should focus on the collection of standardized data, the incorporation of ecological and evolutionary theory, more rigorous statistical analyses, examination of extended PMIs, greater emphasis on aquatic decomposition and interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary research, and the use of human cadavers to get forensically reliable data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Wescott
- Department of Anthropology, Texas State University, Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State, San Marcos, TX, USA
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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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Dubois LM, Stefanuto PH, Heudt L, Focant JF, Perrault KA. Characterizing decomposition odor from soil and adipocere samples at a death scene using HS-SPME-GC×GC-HRTOFMS. Forensic Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2018.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Knobel Z, Ueland M, Nizio KD, Patel D, Forbes SL. A comparison of human and pig decomposition rates and odour profiles in an Australian environment. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2018.1439100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zaccariah Knobel
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Australia
| | - Maiken Ueland
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Australia
| | - Katie D. Nizio
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Australia
| | - Darshil Patel
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Australia
| | - Shari L. Forbes
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Australia
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35
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The analysis of textiles associated with decomposing remains as a natural training aid for cadaver-detection dogs. Forensic Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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36
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Rosier E, Loix S, Develter W, Van de Voorde W, Cuypers E, Tytgat J. Differentiation between decomposed remains of human origin and bigger mammals. J Forensic Leg Med 2017; 50:28-35. [PMID: 28686981 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Revised: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/18/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
This study is a follow-up study in the search for a human specific marker in the decomposition where the VOC-profile of decomposing human, pig, lamb and roe remains were analyzed using a thermal desorber combined with a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer in a laboratory environment during 6 months. The combination of 8 previously identified human and pig specific compounds (ethyl propionate, propyl propionate, propyl butyrate, ethyl pentanoate, 3-methylthio-1-propanol, methyl(methylthio)ethyl disulfide, diethyl disulfide and pyridine) was also seen in these analyzed mammals. However, combined with 5 additional compounds (hexane, heptane, octane, N-(3-methylbutyl)- and N-(2-methylpropyl)acetamide) human remains could be separated from pig, lamb and roe remains. Based on a higher number of remains analyzed, as compared with the pilot study, it was no longer possible to rely on the 5 previously proposed esters to separate pig from human remains. From this follow-up study reported, it was found that pyridine is an interesting compound specific to human remains. Such a human specific marker can help in the training of cadaver dogs or in the development of devices to search for human remains. However, further investigations have to verify these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Rosier
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N2, PO Box 922, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - S Loix
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N2, PO Box 922, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - W Develter
- Imaging & Pathology Department, Division Forensic Biomedical Sciences, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Sint-Rafaël, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - W Van de Voorde
- Imaging & Pathology Department, Division Forensic Biomedical Sciences, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Sint-Rafaël, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - E Cuypers
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N2, PO Box 922, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - J Tytgat
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N2, PO Box 922, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Thermal desorption comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to variable-energy electron ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for monitoring subtle changes in volatile organic compound profiles of human blood. J Chromatogr A 2017; 1501:117-127. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2017.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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38
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Iqbal MA, Nizio KD, Ueland M, Forbes SL. Forensic decomposition odour profiling: A review of experimental designs and analytical techniques. Trends Analyt Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2017.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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39
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Jordan HR, Tomberlin JK. Abiotic and Biotic Factors Regulating Inter-Kingdom Engagement between Insects and Microbe Activity on Vertebrate Remains. INSECTS 2017; 8:E54. [PMID: 28538664 PMCID: PMC5492068 DOI: 10.3390/insects8020054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Abstract: A number of abiotic and biotic factors are known to regulate arthropod attraction, colonization, and utilization of decomposing vertebrate remains. Such information is critical when assessing arthropod evidence associated with said remains in terms of forensic relevance. Interactions are not limited to just between the resource and arthropods. There is another biotic factor that has been historically overlooked; however, with the advent of high-throughput sequencing, and other molecular techniques, the curtain has been pulled back to reveal a microscopic world that is playing a major role with regards to carrion decomposition patterns in association with arthropods. The objective of this publication is to review many of these factors and draw attention to their impact on microbial, specifically bacteria, activity associated with these remains as it is our contention that microbes serve as a primary mechanism regulating associated arthropod behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather R Jordan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39705, USA.
| | - Jeffery K Tomberlin
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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Rust L, Nizio KD, Forbes SL. The influence of ageing and surface type on the odour profile of blood-detection dog training aids. Anal Bioanal Chem 2016; 408:6349-60. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-016-9748-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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41
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von Hoermann C, Ruther J, Ayasse M. Volatile Organic Compounds of Decaying Piglet Cadavers Perceived by Nicrophorus vespilloides. J Chem Ecol 2016; 42:756-767. [PMID: 27369281 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-016-0719-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Revised: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
In the necrophagous burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides (Coleoptera: Silphidae), cadaver preference appears to depend on cadaver size and on the maturity of the beetle. We previously showed that newly emerged females with immature ovaries prefer later stages of decomposition of large cadavers. Our present aim is the determination of specific chemical compounds involved in the discrimination of cadaveric odor bouquets and the recognition of specific stages of decomposition. We used headspace samples of maggot-infested piglet cadavers at various decomposition stages and performed gas chromatography coupled with electroantennography (GC-EAD) to record 45 EAD-active compounds. Using GC coupled with mass spectrometry, we identified 13 of the EAD-active compounds. The headspace of the fresh decomposition stage was characterized mainly by high relative amounts of trimethylpyrazine. High relative amounts of dimethyl trisulfide were characteristic of bloated, post-bloating, and advanced decay stages. The advanced decay and dry remains stages were dominated by high relative amounts of phenol. Statistically, this compound had the highest impact on discrimination between the fresh decomposition stage, which is important for mature burying beetles for reproduction, and the advanced decay stage, which is nutritionally more attractive for newly emerged beetles. Phenol might, therefore, function as a key substance for newly emerged female burying beetles, so that they can locate suitable cadavers for feeding to maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian von Hoermann
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, Ulm University, Helmholtzstraße 10-1 Containerstadt, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Joachim Ruther
- Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Manfred Ayasse
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, Ulm University, Helmholtzstraße 10-1 Containerstadt, 89081, Ulm, Germany
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Rosier E, Loix S, Develter W, Van de Voorde W, Tytgat J, Cuypers E. Time-dependent VOC-profile of decomposed human and animal remains in laboratory environment. Forensic Sci Int 2016; 266:164-169. [PMID: 27285065 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.05.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
A validated method using a thermal desorber combined with a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer was used to identify the volatile organic compounds released in decomposed human and animal remains after 9 and 12 months in glass jars in a laboratory environment. This is a follow-up study on a previous report where the first 6 months of decomposition of 6 human and 26 animal remains was investigated. In the first report, out of 452 identified compounds, a combination of 8 compounds was proposed as human and pig specific. The goal of the current study was to investigate if these 8 compounds were still released after 9 and 12 months. The next results were noticed: 287 compounds were identified; only 9 new compounds were detected and 173 were no longer seen. Sulfur-containing compounds were less prevalent as compared to the first month of decomposition. The appearance of nitrogen-containing compounds and alcohols was increasingly evident during the first 6 months, and the same trend was seen in the following 6 months. Esters became less important after 6 months. From the proposed human and pig specific compounds, diethyl disulfide was only detected during the first months of decomposition. Interestingly, the 4 proposed human and pig specific esters, as well as pyridine, 3-methylthio-1-propanol and methyl(methylthio)ethyl disulfide were still present after 9 and 12 months of decomposition. This means that these 7 human and pig specific markers can be used in the development of training aids for cadaver dogs during the whole decomposition process. Diethyl disulfide can be used in training aids for the first month of decomposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Rosier
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N2, PO Box 922, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - S Loix
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N2, PO Box 922, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - W Develter
- Imaging & Pathology Department, Division Forensic Biomedical Sciences, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Sint-Rafaël, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - W Van de Voorde
- Imaging & Pathology Department, Division Forensic Biomedical Sciences, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Sint-Rafaël, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - J Tytgat
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N2, PO Box 922, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - E Cuypers
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N2, PO Box 922, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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43
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Sampat A, Lopatka M, Sjerps M, Vivo-Truyols G, Schoenmakers P, van Asten A. Forensic potential of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography. Trends Analyt Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2015.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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44
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Armstrong P, Nizio KD, Perrault KA, Forbes SL. Establishing the volatile profile of pig carcasses as analogues for human decomposition during the early postmortem period. Heliyon 2016; 2:e00070. [PMID: 27441249 PMCID: PMC4945964 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2016.e00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Revised: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 10/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Following a mass disaster, it is important that victims are rapidly located as the chances of survival decrease greatly after approximately 48 h. Urban search and rescue (USAR) teams may use a range of tools to assist their efforts but detector dogs still remain one of the most effective search tools to locate victims of mass disasters. USAR teams can choose to deploy human scent dogs (trained to locate living victims) or human remains detection (HRD) dogs (trained to locate deceased victims). However, little is known about the variation between live human scent and postmortem human remains scent and the timeframe during which one type of scent transitions to the other. The aim of the current study was to measure the change in the scent profile of human decomposition analogues during the first 72 h postmortem by measuring the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that comprise the odour. Three pig carcasses (Sus scrofa domesticus L.) were placed on a soil surface and allowed to decompose under natural conditions. Decomposition odour was sampled frequently up to 75 h postmortem and analysed using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography - time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS). A total of 105 postmortem VOCs were identified during the early postmortem period. The VOC profile during the early postmortem period was highly dynamic, changing both hourly and daily. A transition period was observed after 43 h postmortem, where the VOC profile appeared to shift from a distinct antemortem odour to a more generalised postmortem odour. These findings are important in informing USAR teams and their use of detector dogs for disaster victim recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Armstrong
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - K D Nizio
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - K A Perrault
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - S L Forbes
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
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Rosier E, Loix S, Develter W, Van de Voorde W, Tytgat J, Cuypers E. The Search for a Volatile Human Specific Marker in the Decomposition Process. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0137341. [PMID: 26375029 PMCID: PMC4572707 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, a validated method using a thermal desorber combined with a gas chromatograph coupled to mass spectrometry was used to identify the volatile organic compounds released during decomposition of 6 human and 26 animal remains in a laboratory environment during a period of 6 months. 452 compounds were identified. Among them a human specific marker was sought using principle component analysis. We found a combination of 8 compounds (ethyl propionate, propyl propionate, propyl butyrate, ethyl pentanoate, pyridine, diethyl disulfide, methyl(methylthio)ethyl disulfide and 3-methylthio-1-propanol) that led to the distinction of human and pig remains from other animal remains. Furthermore, it was possible to separate the pig remains from human remains based on 5 esters (3-methylbutyl pentanoate, 3-methylbutyl 3-methylbutyrate, 3-methylbutyl 2-methylbutyrate, butyl pentanoate and propyl hexanoate). Further research in the field with full bodies has to corroborate these results and search for one or more human specific markers. These markers would allow a more efficiently training of cadaver dogs or portable detection devices could be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Rosier
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - S. Loix
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - W. Develter
- Imaging & Pathology Department, Division Forensic Biomedical Sciences, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - W. Van de Voorde
- Imaging & Pathology Department, Division Forensic Biomedical Sciences, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - J. Tytgat
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - E. Cuypers
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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Perrault KA, Nizio KD, Forbes SL. A Comparison of One-Dimensional and Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography for Decomposition Odour Profiling Using Inter-Year Replicate Field Trials. Chromatographia 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10337-015-2916-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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