Cadaveric volatile organic compounds released by decaying pig carcasses (Sus domesticus L.) in different biotopes

Forensic Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds from Decomposed Remains in a Soil Environment

“…VOCs can be generally defi ned as any compound with an appreciable vapour pressure and can have a variety of chemical properties (ASTM International 2004 ). The degradation of soft tissue produces hundreds of decomposition VOCs from numerous chemical classes including alcohols, aldehydes, alkanes/alkenes, aromatics, carboxylic acids, esters, ethers, halogens, ketones, nitrogen and sulfur compounds (Vass et al 2004 ;Statheropoulos et al 2005Statheropoulos et al , 2007Boumba et al 2008 ;Vass et al 2008 ;Dekeirsschieter et al 2009 ;DeGreeff and Furton 2011 ;Paczkowski and Schutz 2011 ;Statheropoulos et al 2011 ;Brasseur et al 2012 ;Cablk et al 2012 ;Dekeirsschieter et al 2012 ;Stadler et al 2013 ). Although similar chemical classes have been reported in a variety of studies the complexity of these samples has precluded the complete characterisation of decomposition odour (Statheropoulos et al 2011 ;Dekeirsschieter et al 2012 ).…”

“…Many studies have determined that decomposition odour is dynamic and changes its composition over time (Vass et al 2004 ;Dekeirsschieter et al 2009 ;Statheropoulos et al 2011 ;Cablk et al 2012 ;Dekeirsschieter et al 2012 ;Stadler et al 2013 ). All stages of decomposition produce VOCs, however outside the use of human analogues; few studies have monitored decomposition headspace throughout soft tissue decomposition.…”

“…All stages of decomposition produce VOCs, however outside the use of human analogues; few studies have monitored decomposition headspace throughout soft tissue decomposition. The rapid loss of soft tissue and perceived odour associated with remains during the active and advanced decay stages correlates with the number and variety of compounds identifi ed during these stages (Anderson and VanLaerhoven 1996 ;Dekeirsschieter et al 2009Dekeirsschieter et al , 2012Stadler et al 2013 ). The overall process of decomposition in a soil environment can be characterised by a combination of chemical classes.…”

“…The overall process of decomposition in a soil environment can be characterised by a combination of chemical classes. The early stages are characterised by higher levels of polysulfi des and alcohols, the transition to the later stages produces increased levels of aromatics and carboxylic acids which persist through the later stages of decay along with aldehydes and ketones (Dekeirsschieter et al 2009Stadler et al 2013 ). Fresh and dry / skeletonized remains produce fewer VOCs, however cadaver dogs are known to locate remains shortly after death and after prolonged post-mortem intervals (Komar 1999 ;Rebmann et al 2000 ;Lasseter et al 2003 ;Oesterhelweg et al 2008 ).…”

“…The chemical pathways and exact origins of these compounds are uncertain however it is clear that the decomposition environment and the bacteria present during decomposition will affect their production (Boumba et al 2008 ;Dekeirsschieter et al 2009 ;Paczkowski and Schutz 2011 ;Statheropoulos et al 2011 ). Currently there is a large amount of variability in the compounds reported (DeGreeff and Furton 2011 ;Paczkowski and Schutz 2011 ).…”