NCJ Number
243724
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 58 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2013 Pages: 29-39
Date Published
January 2013
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Previous work has demonstrated the ability to differentiate individuals based on the analysis of human scent hand odor chemicals.
Abstract
Previous work has demonstrated the ability to differentiate individuals based on the analysis of human scent hand odor chemicals. In this paper, a range of forensic biological specimens are shown to also have the ability to differentiate individuals based upon the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present. Human VOC profiles from hand odor, oral fluid, breath, blood, and urine of 31 individuals were analyzed by solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) and combined methods of chromatogram comparison, Spearman rank correlation comparison, and principal component analysis. Intra-specimen comparisons demonstrated the distinguishability of individuals above 99 percent. Inter-specimen VOC profiles from the same individual were found to be too different to be used for scent-matching purposes, with Spearman rank coefficients below 0.15. A 6-month VOC profile monitoring of two individuals demonstrated the consistency of VOC profiles over time across specimens. Abstract published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.