Premium
Preliminary Studies into the Characterization of Chemical Markers of Decomposition for Geoforensics *
Author(s) -
Swann Lisa,
Chidlow Geoffrey E.,
Forbes Shari,
Lewis Simon W.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01263.x
Subject(s) - decomposition , matrix (chemical analysis) , chemistry , chromatography , gas chromatography , filtration (mathematics) , mass spectrometry , dilution , chemical decomposition , organic chemistry , mathematics , statistics , physics , thermodynamics
In this paper, we report the results of our preliminary studies into chemical characterization of the fluids produced during decomposition in the absence of a soil matrix. Pig ( Sus domestica ) carcasses were used to model the human decomposition process in two separate locations, Western Australia (Perth) and Canada (Oshawa). Analysis involved simple dilution and filtration of the decomposition fluids followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Several previously unreported compounds were detected in the decomposition fluid samples during the trials, including benzeneacetic acid, benzenepropionic acid, 2‐piperidone, and isocaproic acid. Possible biosynthetic pathways for some of the compounds produced are proposed. Further research trials are required, particularly in the presence of soil matrices.