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Forensic Sci Int

Title:		Characterization of the volatile organic compounds present in the headspace of decomposing human remains
Author(s):		Hoffman EM; Curran AM; Dulgerian N; Stockham RA; Eckenrode BA;
Address:		"Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, United States"
Journal Title:		Forensic Sci Int
Year:		2009
Volume:		20090208
Issue:		1-Mar
Page Number:		6 - 13
DOI:		10.1016/j.forsciint.2008.12.022
ISSN/ISBN:		1872-6283 (Electronic) 0379-0738 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Law enforcement agencies frequently use canines trained to detect the odor of human decomposition to aid in determining the location of clandestine burials and human remains deposited or scattered on the surface. However, few studies attempt to identify the specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that elicit an appropriate response from victim recovery (VR) canines. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify the VOCs released into the headspace associated with 14 separate tissue samples of human remains previously used for VR canine training. The headspace was found to contain various classes of VOCs, including acids, alcohols, aldehydes, halogens, aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, and sulfides. Analysis of the data indicates that the VOCs associated with human decomposition share similarities across regions of the body and across types of tissue. However, sufficient differences exist to warrant VR canine testing to identify potential mimic odor chemical profiles that can be used as training aids. The resulting data will assist in the identification of the most suitable mixture and relative concentrations of VOCs to appropriately train VR canines"
Keywords:		"Adipose Tissue/chemistry Blood Chemical Analysis Bone and Bones/chemistry Burial Forensic Anthropology Forensic Pathology Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Humans Male Muscle, Skeletal/chemistry *Postmortem Changes Skin/chemistry Solid Phase Microextra;"
Notes:		"MedlineHoffman, Erin M Curran, Allison M Dulgerian, Nishan Stockham, Rex A Eckenrode, Brian A eng Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. Ireland 2009/02/11 Forensic Sci Int. 2009 Apr 15; 186(1-3):6-13. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2008.12.022. Epub 2009 Feb 8"