title: The Search for a Volatile Human Specific Marker in the Decomposition Process.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rosier
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Loix
authors.affiliation: Imaging & Pathology Department, Division Forensic Biomedical Sciences, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Develter
authors.affiliation: Imaging & Pathology Department, Division Forensic Biomedical Sciences, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Van de Voorde
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tytgat
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cuypers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001344:Autopsy; D002102:Cadaver; D044707:Forensic Sciences; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D013045:Species Specificity; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds