Detection of decomposition volatile organic compounds in soil following removal of remains from a surface deposition site

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

Perrault, KA

Stefanuto, PH Stuart, BH

Rai, T

Focant, JF Forbes, SL

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology, 2015, 11 (3), pp. 376 - 387
Issue Date:: 2015-09-11

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Perrault, KA https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0210-2687	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Stefanuto, PH	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Stuart, BH https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9540-4435	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Rai, T https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1610-8983	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Focant, JF	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Forbes, SL https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7416-0080	en_US
dc.date.available	2015-06-23	en_US
dc.date.issued	2015-09-11	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology, 2015, 11 (3), pp. 376 - 387	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1547-769X	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/36681
dc.description.abstract	© 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York. 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 thereafter and analyzed by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC–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 decomposition VOC profile, while detectable by GC×GC–TOFMS in the soil, was considerably reduced and altered in composition upon removal of remains. Chemical reference data is provided by this study for future investigations of canine alert behavior in scenarios involving scattered or scavenged remains.	en_US
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/FT110100753
dc.relation.ispartof	Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/s12024-015-9693-5	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Legal & Forensic Medicine	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Animals	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Swine	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Postmortem Changes	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Soil	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Models, Animal	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Principal Component Analysis	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Volatile Organic Compounds	en_US
dc.title	Detection of decomposition volatile organic compounds in soil following removal of remains from a surface deposition site	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	3	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	11	en_US
utslib.for	039902 Forensic Chemistry	en_US
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)/Graduate Research School
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
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	3	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	11	en_US

Abstract:

© 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York. 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 thereafter and analyzed by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC–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 decomposition VOC profile, while detectable by GC×GC–TOFMS in the soil, was considerably reduced and altered in composition upon removal of remains. Chemical reference data is provided by this study for future investigations of canine alert behavior in scenarios involving scattered or scavenged remains.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/36681