Death is in the air: Confirmation of decomposition without a corpse. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vass, Arpad A.
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 301(2019)
• Page Start: 149
• Page End: 159
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: Air sampling -- LIBS -- Human decomposition -- Odour mortis -- GC/MS; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Chimie légale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Chemistry, Forensic; Medical jurisprudence; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.05.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Highlights: Air sampling at crime scenes can reveal evidence that otherwise would be lost. Chemical profiling can be used to establish decompositional events. Human specific markers can be used to establish a death scene without a corpse. Abstract: This case report summarises the investigation of a death scene in the trunk of a car. Air sampling, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry on samples of carpet and tyre well scrapings from the vehicle's trunk were utilised to confirm the presence of a human decompositional event even though no human remains were discovered in the vehicle. Air sampling has been used in numerous industries for many decades, but only recently has been applied to forensic investigations although it has been at the centre of controversy over the use of this technique in such cases. This report also describes the value of such investigative tools and points to the discovery of evidence, which, without the use of these techniques, would not have been identified.