Marissa Tsontakis , Darshil Patel , Frédérique Ouimet , Clifford Samson , Wesley S Burr , Shari L. Forbes
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Human Remains Detection (HRD) dogs are specifically trained to aid law enforcement agencies in search operations for deceased victims. Their olfactory sensitivity and specificity highlight the importance of choosing target odor sources for HRD training. While HRD dogs rely on olfactory cues to locate human remains, it is important to identify which volatile organic compounds (VOCs) they are alerting to among those released during the various stages of the human decomposition process. In this study, VOC profiles from human and non-human bones were collected and analyzed using thermal desorption coupled to comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TD-GC × GC-TOFMS). The non-human decomposition VOC profiles were compared to human VOC profiles obtained from sections of amputated human limbs used as HRD training aids. These limb sections were previously decomposed to the dry remains/skeletonization stage. The olfactory responses of HRD dogs in the presence of these training aids and non-human remains were subsequently investigated with results demonstrating their capability in distinguishing human from non-human remains. Highlighting the differences in VOC profiles between human and non-human decomposition may help to enhance the sensitivity of HRD dogs to human remains while recognizing the importance of using human cadaveric material for training purposes.
期刊介绍：
Forensic Chemistry publishes high quality manuscripts focusing on the theory, research and application of any chemical science to forensic analysis. The scope of the journal includes fundamental advancements that result in a better understanding of the evidentiary significance derived from the physical and chemical analysis of materials. The scope of Forensic Chemistry will also include the application and or development of any molecular and atomic spectrochemical technique, electrochemical techniques, sensors, surface characterization techniques, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, chemometrics and statistics, and separation sciences (e.g. chromatography) that provide insight into the forensic analysis of materials. Evidential topics of interest to the journal include, but are not limited to, fingerprint analysis, drug analysis, ignitable liquid residue analysis, explosives detection and analysis, the characterization and comparison of trace evidence (glass, fibers, paints and polymers, tapes, soils and other materials), ink and paper analysis, gunshot residue analysis, synthetic pathways for drugs, toxicology and the analysis and chemistry associated with the components of fingermarks. The journal is particularly interested in receiving manuscripts that report advances in the forensic interpretation of chemical evidence. Technology Readiness Level: When submitting an article to Forensic Chemistry, all authors will be asked to self-assign a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) to their article. The purpose of the TRL system is to help readers understand the level of maturity of an idea or method, to help track the evolution of readiness of a given technique or method, and to help filter published articles by the expected ease of implementation in an operation setting within a crime lab.
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