« Previous AbstractConnecting the nutrient composition of seasonal pollens with changing nutritional needs of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies    Next AbstractEvaluation of selected sorbent materials for the collection of volatile organic compounds related to human scent using non-contact sampling mode »

Anal Bioanal Chem

Title:		"Collection and identification of human remains volatiles by non-contact, dynamic airflow sampling and SPME-GC/MS using various sorbent materials"
Author(s):		DeGreeff LE; Furton KG;
Address:		"International Forensic Research Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA"
Journal Title:		Anal Bioanal Chem
Year:		2011
Volume:		20110622
Issue:		4
Page Number:		1295 - 1307
DOI:		10.1007/s00216-011-5167-0
ISSN/ISBN:		1618-2650 (Electronic) 1618-2642 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Human remains detection canines are used in locating deceased humans in diverse scenarios and environments based on odor produced during the decay process of the human body. It has been established that human remains detection canines are capable of locating human remains specifically, as opposed to living humans or animal remains, thus suggesting a difference in odor between the different sources. This work explores the collection and determination of such odors using a dynamic headspace concentration device. The airflow rate and three sorbent materials-Dukal cotton gauze, Johnson & Johnson cotton-blend gauze, and polyester material-used for odor collection were evaluated using standard compounds. It was determined that higher airflow rates and openly woven material, e.g., Dukal cotton gauze, yielded significantly less total volatile compounds due to compound breakthrough through the sorbent material. Collection from polymer- and cellulose-based materials demonstrated that the molecular backbone of the material is a factor in compound collection as well. Volatiles, including cyclic and straight-chain hydrocarbons, organic acids, sulfides, aldehydes, ketones, and alcohols, were collected from a population of 27 deceased bodies from two collection locations. The common compounds between the subjects were compared and the odor profiles were determined. These odor profiles were compared with those of animal remains and living human subjects collected in the same manner. Principal component analysis showed that the odor profiles of the three sample types were distinct"
Keywords:		Animals *Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Humans Odorants/*analysis *Postmortem Changes Specimen Handling/instrumentation/methods Volatile Organic Compounds/*analysis;
Notes:		"MedlineDeGreeff, Lauryn E Furton, Kenneth G eng Comparative Study Germany 2011/06/23 Anal Bioanal Chem. 2011 Sep; 401(4):1295-307. doi: 10.1007/s00216-011-5167-0. Epub 2011 Jun 22"