Article (Scientific journals)
Detection of decomposition volatile organic compounds in soil following removal of remains from a surface deposition site
Perrault, Katelynn A.; Stefanuto, Pierre-Hugues; Stuart, Barbara H. et al.
2015In Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology, 11 (3), p. 376-387
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Keywords :
Decomposition Chemistry; GCxGC; Forensic Science
Abstract :
[en] Purpose Cadaver-detection dogs use volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to search for human remains including those deposited on or beneath soil. Soil can act as a sink for VOCs, causing loading of decomposition VOCs in the soil following soft tissue decomposition. The objective of this study was to chemically profile decomposition VOCs from surface decomposition sites after remains were removed from their primary location. Methods Pig carcasses were used as human analogues and were deposited on a soil surface to decompose for 3 months. The remains were then removed from each site and VOCs were collected from the soil for 7 months & Katelynn A. Perrault katelynn.perrault@uts.edu.au thereafter and analyzed by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC9GC–TOFMS). Results Decomposition VOCs diminished within 6 weeks and hydrocarbons were the most persistent compound class. Decomposition VOCs could still be detected in the soil after 7 months using Principal Component Analysis. Conclusions This study demonstrated that the decompo- sition VOC profile, while detectable by GC9GC–TOFMS in the soil, was considerably reduced and altered in com- position upon removal of remains. Chemical reference data is provided by this study for future investigations of canine alert behavior in scenarios involving scattered or scav- enged remains.
Disciplines :
Chemistry
Author, co-author :
Perrault, Katelynn A.;  University of Technology Sydney (UTS) > Center for Forensic Science
Stefanuto, Pierre-Hugues  ;  Université de Liège > Département de chimie (sciences) > Chimie analytique, organique et biologique
Stuart, Barbara H.;  University of Technology Sydney (UTS) > Center for Forensic Science
Rai, Tarpan;  University of Technology Sydney > School of Mathematical Sciences
Focant, Jean-François  ;  Université de Liège > Département de chimie (sciences) > Chimie analytique, organique et biologique
Forbes, Shari L.;  University of Technology Sydney (UTS) > Center for Forensic Science
Language :
English
Title :
Detection of decomposition volatile organic compounds in soil following removal of remains from a surface deposition site
Publication date :
July 2015
Journal title :
Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology
ISSN :
1547-769X
eISSN :
1556-2891
Publisher :
Springer Science & Business Media B.V.
Volume :
11
Issue :
3
Pages :
376-387
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Available on ORBi :
since 10 August 2015

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