title: Origin, Analytical Characterization, and Use of Human Odor in Forensics.
abstract: Developing a strategy to characterize the odor prints of individuals should be relevant to support identification obtained using dogs in courts of justice. This article proposes an overview of the techniques used for the forensic profiling of human odor. After reviewing the origin of human odor-both genetic and physiological-the different analytical steps from sample collection to statistical data processing are presented. The first challenge is the collection of odor, whether by direct sampling with polymer patches, cotton gauze, etc., or indirect sampling with devices like Scent Transfer Unit. Then, analytical techniques are presented. Analyses are commonly performed with gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. As they yield large amounts of data, advanced statistical tools are needed to provide efficient and reliable data processing, which is essential to give more probative value to information.
authors.affiliation: UMR 8231 Chimie Biologie et Innovation (CBI), Laboratoire Sciences Analytiques Bioanalytiques et Miniaturisation, ESPCI Paris-CNRS, PSL Institute, 10 rue Vauquelin, 75231, PARIS Cedex, France.|Institut de Recherche Criminelle de la Gendarmerie Nationale, Caserne Lange, 5 Boulevard de l'Hautil, BP 20312 Pontoise, 95037, Cergy Pontoise Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9382-1873
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cuzuel
authors.affiliation: Institut de Recherche Criminelle de la Gendarmerie Nationale, Caserne Lange, 5 Boulevard de l'Hautil, BP 20312 Pontoise, 95037, Cergy Pontoise Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cognon
authors.affiliation: Equipe de Statistique Appliquée, ESPCI Paris, UMRS 1158 Neurophysiologie Respiratoire Expérimentale et Clinique, 10 rue Vauquelin, 75005, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rivals
authors.affiliation: Institut de Recherche Criminelle de la Gendarmerie Nationale, Caserne Lange, 5 Boulevard de l'Hautil, BP 20312 Pontoise, 95037, Cergy Pontoise Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sauleau
authors.affiliation: Institut de Recherche Criminelle de la Gendarmerie Nationale, Caserne Lange, 5 Boulevard de l'Hautil, BP 20312 Pontoise, 95037, Cergy Pontoise Cedex, France.
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Heulard
authors.affiliation: UMR 8231 Chimie Biologie et Innovation (CBI), Laboratoire Sciences Analytiques Bioanalytiques et Miniaturisation, ESPCI Paris-CNRS, PSL Institute, 10 rue Vauquelin, 75231, PARIS Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thiébaut
authors.affiliation: UMR 8231 Chimie Biologie et Innovation (CBI), Laboratoire Sciences Analytiques Bioanalytiques et Miniaturisation, ESPCI Paris-CNRS, PSL Institute, 10 rue Vauquelin, 75231, PARIS Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vial
mesh_terms: D044707:Forensic Sciences / Q000379:methods*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009812:Odorants; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013545:Sweat Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds
keywords: forensic science; gas chromatography; human odor; mass spectrometry; odor print; odor sampling; volatile compound sampling procedures