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Schieweck A, Schulz N, Amendt J, Birngruber C, Holz F. Catch me if you can-emission patterns of human bodies in relation to postmortem changes. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:1603-1620. [PMID: 38456958 PMCID: PMC11164720 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03194-3] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
The present study examines for the first time the emission patterns and olfactory signatures of 9 complete human corpses of different stages of decomposition. Air sampling was performed inside the body bags with solid sorbents and analysed by coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after thermal desorption (TD-GC-MS). Furthermore, odour-related substances were detected by gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O). Sulfurous compounds (mainly dimethyl di- and trisulfide) were identified as most important to the odour perception. Around 350 individual organic substances were detected by TD-GC-MS, notably sulfurous and nitrogenous substances as well as branched alkanes, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, carboxylic acids, carboxylic acid esters and ethers. A range of terpenes was detected for the first time in a characteristic emission pattern over all decomposition stages. Concentrations of the substances varied greatly, and no correlation between the emission patterns, the stage of decomposition and the cause of death could be found. While previous studies often analysed pig cadavers or only parts of human tissue, the present study shows the importance of analysing complete human corpses over a range of decomposition stages. Moreover, it is shown that using body bags as a kind of "emission test chamber" is a very promising approach, also because it is a realistic application considering the usual transport and store of a body before autopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Schieweck
- Department of Material Analysis and Indoor Chemistry, Fraunhofer WKI, Riedenkamp 3, 38108, Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Nicole Schulz
- Department of Material Analysis and Indoor Chemistry, Fraunhofer WKI, Riedenkamp 3, 38108, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jens Amendt
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Christoph Birngruber
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Franziska Holz
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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2
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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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3
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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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4
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Balta JY, Blom G, Davidson A, Perrault K, Cryan JF, O'Mahony SM, Cassella JP. Developing a quantitative method to assess the decomposition of embalmed human cadavers. Forensic Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2020.100235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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5
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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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6
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Asfaw AA, Van der Veken M, Wolfs K, Van Schepdael A, Adams E. Exploration of the problems and solutions related to reference introduction prior to calibration of thermal desorber–gas chromatography. J Sep Sci 2019; 42:2816-2825. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201900260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 06/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adissu Alemayehu Asfaw
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Pharmaceutical AnalysisKU Leuven ‐ University of Leuven Leuven Belgium
- College of Health SciencesSchool of PharmacyMekelle University Mekelle Ethiopia
| | - Matthias Van der Veken
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Pharmaceutical AnalysisKU Leuven ‐ University of Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Kris Wolfs
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Pharmaceutical AnalysisKU Leuven ‐ University of Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Ann Van Schepdael
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Pharmaceutical AnalysisKU Leuven ‐ University of Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Erwin Adams
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Pharmaceutical AnalysisKU Leuven ‐ University of Leuven Leuven Belgium
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7
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Vass AA. Death is in the air: Confirmation of decomposition without a corpse. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 301:149-159. [PMID: 31153992 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This case report summarises the investigation of a death scene in the trunk of a car. Air sampling, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry on samples of carpet and tyre well scrapings from the vehicle's trunk were utilised to confirm the presence of a human decompositional event even though no human remains were discovered in the vehicle. Air sampling has been used in numerous industries for many decades, but only recently has been applied to forensic investigations although it has been at the centre of controversy over the use of this technique in such cases. This report also describes the value of such investigative tools and points to the discovery of evidence, which, without the use of these techniques, would not have been identified.
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8
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Trivedi D, Sinclair E, Xu Y, Sarkar D, Walton-Doyle C, Liscio C, Banks P, Milne J, Silverdale M, Kunath T, Goodacre R, Barran P. Discovery of Volatile Biomarkers of Parkinson's Disease from Sebum. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2019; 5:599-606. [PMID: 31041379 PMCID: PMC6487537 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.8b00879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that presents with significant motor symptoms, for which there is no diagnostic chemical test. We have serendipitously identified a hyperosmic individual, a "Super Smeller" who can detect PD by odor alone, and our early pilot studies have indicated that the odor was present in the sebum from the skin of PD subjects. Here, we have employed an unbiased approach to investigate the volatile metabolites of sebum samples obtained noninvasively from the upper back of 64 participants in total (21 controls and 43 PD subjects). Our results, validated by an independent cohort (n=31), identified a distinct volatiles-associated signature of PD, including altered levels of perillic aldehyde and eicosane, the smell of which was then described as being highly similar to the scent of PD by our "Super Smeller".
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Affiliation(s)
- Drupad
K. Trivedi
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Princess Street, Manchester, U.K., M1 7DN
| | - Eleanor Sinclair
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Princess Street, Manchester, U.K., M1 7DN
| | - Yun Xu
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Princess Street, Manchester, U.K., M1 7DN
- Department
of Biochemistry, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, U.K., L69 7ZB
| | - Depanjan Sarkar
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Princess Street, Manchester, U.K., M1 7DN
| | - Caitlin Walton-Doyle
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Princess Street, Manchester, U.K., M1 7DN
| | - Camilla Liscio
- Anatune, 4 Wellbrook Way, Girton, Cambridge, U.K., CB3 0NA
| | - Phine Banks
- Anatune, 4 Wellbrook Way, Girton, Cambridge, U.K., CB3 0NA
| | - Joy Milne
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Princess Street, Manchester, U.K., M1 7DN
| | - Monty Silverdale
- Department
of Neurology, Salford Royal Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic
Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K., M6 8HD
| | - Tilo Kunath
- Institute
for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K., EH16
4UU
| | - Royston Goodacre
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Princess Street, Manchester, U.K., M1 7DN
- Department
of Biochemistry, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, U.K., L69 7ZB
| | - Perdita Barran
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Princess Street, Manchester, U.K., M1 7DN
- E-mail:
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9
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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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10
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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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11
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Asfaw AA, Aspromonte J, Wolfs K, Van Schepdael A, Adams E. Overview of sample introduction techniques prior to GC for the analysis of volatiles in solid materials. J Sep Sci 2018; 42:214-225. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201800711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adissu Alemayehu Asfaw
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences; Pharmaceutical Analysis; KU Leuven - University of Leuven; Leuven Belgium
- College of Health Sciences; Department of Pharmacy; Mekelle University; Mekelle Ethiopia
| | - Juan Aspromonte
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences; Pharmaceutical Analysis; KU Leuven - University of Leuven; Leuven Belgium
| | - Kris Wolfs
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences; Pharmaceutical Analysis; KU Leuven - University of Leuven; Leuven Belgium
| | - Ann Van Schepdael
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences; Pharmaceutical Analysis; KU Leuven - University of Leuven; Leuven Belgium
| | - Erwin Adams
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences; Pharmaceutical Analysis; KU Leuven - University of Leuven; Leuven Belgium
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12
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13
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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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14
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Verheggen F, Perrault KA, Megido RC, Dubois LM, Francis F, Haubruge E, Forbes SL, Focant JF, Stefanuto PH. The Odor of Death: An Overview of Current Knowledge on Characterization and Applications. Bioscience 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/bix046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
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15
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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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16
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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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17
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Castillo-Peinado LS, Luque de Castro MD. Present and foreseeable future of metabolomics in forensic analysis. Anal Chim Acta 2016; 925:1-15. [PMID: 27188312 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2016.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Revised: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The revulsive publications during the last years on the precariousness of forensic sciences worldwide have promoted the move of major steps towards improvement of this science. One of the steps (viz. a higher involvement of metabolomics in the new era of forensic analysis) deserves to be discussed under different angles. Thus, the characteristics of metabolomics that make it a useful tool in forensic analysis, the aspects in which this omics is so far implicit, but not mentioned in forensic analyses, and how typical forensic parameters such as the post-mortem interval or fingerprints take benefits from metabolomics are critically discussed in this review. The way in which the metabolomics-forensic binomial succeeds when either conventional or less frequent samples are used is highlighted here. Finally, the pillars that should support future developments involving metabolomics and forensic analysis, and the research required for a fruitful in-depth involvement of metabolomics in forensic analysis are critically discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- L S Castillo-Peinado
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Annex Marie Curie Building, Campus of Rabanales, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; University of Córdoba, Agrifood Excellence Campus, ceiA3, Spain; Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), Reina Sofía University Hospital, University of Córdoba, E-14071, Córdoba, Spain
| | - M D Luque de Castro
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Annex Marie Curie Building, Campus of Rabanales, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; University of Córdoba, Agrifood Excellence Campus, ceiA3, Spain; Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), Reina Sofía University Hospital, University of Córdoba, E-14071, Córdoba, Spain.
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18
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Liu C, Mu Y, Zhang C, Zhang Z, Zhang Y, Liu J, Sheng J, Quan J. Development of gas chromatography-flame ionization detection system with a single column and liquid nitrogen-free for measuring atmospheric C2–C12 hydrocarbons. J Chromatogr A 2016; 1427:134-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2015.11.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Revised: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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19
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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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20
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Perrault KA, Stefanuto PH, Stuart BH, Rai T, Focant JF, Forbes SL. Detection of decomposition volatile organic compounds in soil following removal of remains from a surface deposition site. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2015; 11:376-87. [DOI: 10.1007/s12024-015-9693-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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21
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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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22
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GC × GC–TOFMS and supervised multivariate approaches to study human cadaveric decomposition olfactive signatures. Anal Bioanal Chem 2015; 407:4767-78. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-015-8683-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Revised: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Perrault KA, Stefanuto PH, Stuart BH, Rai T, Focant JF, Forbes SL. Reducing variation in decomposition odour profiling using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography. J Sep Sci 2014; 38:73-80. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201400935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Revised: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Pierre-Hugues Stefanuto
- CART, Organic and Biological Analytical Chemistry Group; Department of Chemistry; University of Liège; Liège Belgium
| | - Barbara H. Stuart
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney; Australia
| | - Tapan Rai
- School of Mathematical Sciences; University of Technology Sydney; Australia
| | - Jean-François Focant
- CART, Organic and Biological Analytical Chemistry Group; Department of Chemistry; University of Liège; Liège Belgium
| | - Shari L. Forbes
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney; Australia
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A Longitudinal Study of Decomposition Odour in Soil Using Sorbent Tubes and Solid Phase Microextraction. CHROMATOGRAPHY 2014. [DOI: 10.3390/chromatography1030120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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