A comparison of human and pig decomposition rates and odour profiles in an Australian environment

Knobel, Z; Ueland, M; Nizio, KD; Patel, D; Forbes, SL

A comparison of human and pig decomposition rates and odour profiles in an Australian environment

Knobel, Z Ueland, M

Nizio, KD

Patel, D Forbes, SL

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2019, 51 (5), pp. 557 - 572
Issue Date:: 2019-09-03

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Knobel, Z	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Ueland, M https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9155-3502	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Nizio, KD https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1486-1894	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Patel, D	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Forbes, SL https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7416-0080	en_US
dc.date.available	2020-05-25T19:03:06Z
dc.date.issued	2019-09-03	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2019, 51 (5), pp. 557 - 572	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0045-0618	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/124066
dc.description.abstract	© 2018, © 2018 Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences. Cadaver-detection dogs are trained to locate victim remains; however, their training is challenging owing to limited access to human remains. Animal analogues, such as pigs, are typically used as alternative training aids. This project aimed to compare the visual decomposition and volatile organic compound (VOC) profile of human and pig remains in an Australian environment, to determine the suitability of pig remains as human odour analogues for cadaver-detection dog training. Four human cadavers and four pig carcasses were placed in an outdoor environment at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER) across two seasons. Decomposition was monitored progressively in summer and winter. VOCs were collected onto sorbent tubes and analysed using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Visual observations highlighted the differences in decomposition rates, with pig remains progressing through all stages of decomposition, and human remains undergoing differential decomposition and mummification. Chemical and statistical analysis highlighted variations in the composition and abundance of VOCs over time between the odour profiles. This study concluded that the visual decomposition and VOC profile of pig and human remains was dissimilar. However, in cooler conditions the results from each species became more comparable, especially during the early stages of decomposition.	en_US
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/LE150100015
dc.relation.ispartof	Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1080/00450618.2018.1439100	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Legal & Forensic Medicine	en_US
dc.title	A comparison of human and pig decomposition rates and odour profiles in an Australian environment	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	5	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	51	en_US
utslib.for	0699 Other Biological Sciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CFS - Centre for Forensic Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Students
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	5	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	51	en_US

Abstract:

© 2018, © 2018 Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences. Cadaver-detection dogs are trained to locate victim remains; however, their training is challenging owing to limited access to human remains. Animal analogues, such as pigs, are typically used as alternative training aids. This project aimed to compare the visual decomposition and volatile organic compound (VOC) profile of human and pig remains in an Australian environment, to determine the suitability of pig remains as human odour analogues for cadaver-detection dog training. Four human cadavers and four pig carcasses were placed in an outdoor environment at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER) across two seasons. Decomposition was monitored progressively in summer and winter. VOCs were collected onto sorbent tubes and analysed using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Visual observations highlighted the differences in decomposition rates, with pig remains progressing through all stages of decomposition, and human remains undergoing differential decomposition and mummification. Chemical and statistical analysis highlighted variations in the composition and abundance of VOCs over time between the odour profiles. This study concluded that the visual decomposition and VOC profile of pig and human remains was dissimilar. However, in cooler conditions the results from each species became more comparable, especially during the early stages of decomposition.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/124066