« Previous AbstractAnalysis of expired air of fasting male monks at Mount Athos    Next AbstractCombined chemical and optical methods for monitoring the early decay stages of surrogate human models »

Sci Total Environ

Title:		Environmental aspects of VOCs evolved in the early stages of human decomposition
Author(s):		Statheropoulos M; Agapiou A; Spiliopoulou C; Pallis GC; Sianos E;
Address:		"School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Sector I, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Str, 157 73 Athens, Greece"
Journal Title:		Sci Total Environ
Year:		2007
Volume:		20070731
Issue:		1-Mar
Page Number:		221 - 227
DOI:		10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.07.003
ISSN/ISBN:		0048-9697 (Print) 0048-9697 (Linking)
Abstract:		"In the present study, the time profile, measured as 'accumulation', of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced during the early stages of human decomposition was investigated. A human cadaver was placed in a sealed bag at approximately the 4th day after death. Evolved VOCs were monitored for 24 h by sampling at different time intervals. VOCs produced were analyzed by thermal desorption/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD/GC/MS). Over 30 substances were identified in total. These included mainly aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, oxygenated compounds (alcohols, aldehydes, ketones) and organic sulfides. The last were the most prominent class of compounds identified. Eleven compounds were present in all the sampling cycles and constitute a 'common core': ethanol, 2-propanone, dimethyl disulfide, methyl benzene, octane, 2-butanone, methyl ethyl disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide and o-, m- and p-xylenes. The last sampling cycle yielded the most abundant compounds in number and quantities. Inorganic gases such as CO2, CO, NH3 and H2S were also determined. The fundamental physicochemical properties of the evolved VOCs were used for evaluating their environmental impacts. It appears that the decay process, which is a dynamic procedure, can provide chemical signals that might be detected and properly evaluated by experts in the fields of forensic sciences, search and rescue units and environmental scientists"
Keywords:		Adult *Cadaver Disasters Humans Male Odorants/analysis Organic Chemicals/*analysis *Postmortem Changes Rescue Work Volatilization;
Notes:		"MedlineStatheropoulos, M Agapiou, A Spiliopoulou, C Pallis, G C Sianos, E eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Netherlands 2007/08/03 Sci Total Environ. 2007 Oct 15; 385(1-3):221-7. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.07.003. Epub 2007 Jul 31"