Forensic cadaveric decomposition profiling by GC×GC-TOFMS analysis of VOCS

  • Jean-Francois Focant University of Liège, Allée du 6 août B6c, 4000 Liège
  • P. Stefanuto University of Liège, Allée du 6 août B6c, 4000 Liège
  • C. Brasseur University of Liège, Allée du 6 août B6c, 4000 Liège
  • J. Dekeirsschieter Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Gembloux
  • E. Haubruge Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Gembloux
  • E. Schotsmans University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire
  • A. Wilson University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire
  • S. Stadler University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe St N., Oshawa, Ontario
  • S. Forbes University of Technology, Sydney
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15328/chemb_2013_4177-186
Keywords: Forensics, VOCs, Cadaveric decomposition, Geotaphonomy, GC×GC-TOFMS, Profiling

Abstract

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS) has been used to analyze complex mixtures of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced during cadaveric decomposition processes. The use of specific mass spectrometric scripting approaches permitted to easily identify gravesoils from control soils. The high peak capacity of the system, as well as the development of a specific data processing approach allowed the isolation and identification of several hundreds of specific analytes. When coupled to thermal desorption (TD), GC×GC-TOFMS is the tool of choice for cadaveric VOC profiling.

Author Biographies

Jean-Francois Focant, University of Liège, Allée du 6 août B6c, 4000 Liège
Department of Chemistry
P. Stefanuto, University of Liège, Allée du 6 août B6c, 4000 Liège
Department of Chemistry
C. Brasseur, University of Liège, Allée du 6 août B6c, 4000 Liège
Department of Chemistry
J. Dekeirsschieter, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Gembloux
Department of functional and evolutionary Entomology
E. Haubruge, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Gembloux
Department of functional and evolutionary Entomology
E. Schotsmans, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire
School of Life Sciences
A. Wilson, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire
School of Life Sciences
S. Forbes, University of Technology, Sydney
Centre for Forensic Science

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Cited by: 5

1. Perrault KA, Stefanuto PH, Stuart BH, et al (2014) Reducing variation in decomposition odour profiling using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography. Journal of Separation Science 38:73-80. CrossRef

2. Stefanuto PH, Perrault KA, Lloyd RM, et al (2015) Exploring new dimensions in cadaveric decomposition odour analysis. Analytical Methods 7:2287-2294. CrossRef

3. Forbes SL, Perrault KA, Stefanuto PH (2014) Comparison of the decomposition VOC profile during winter and summer in a moist, mid-latitude (Cfb) climate. Plos One. CrossRef

4. Perrault KA, Rai T, Stuart BH, et al (2015) Seasonal comparison of carrion volatiles in decomposition soil using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography – time of flight mass spectrometry. Analytical Methods 7:690-698. CrossRef

5. Perrault KA, Nizio KD, Forbes SL (2015) A comparison of one-dimensional and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography for decomposition odour profiling using inter-year replicate field trials. Chromatographia 78:1057-1070. CrossRef

Published
2014-09-14
How to Cite
Focant, J.-F., Stefanuto, P., Brasseur, C., Dekeirsschieter, J., Haubruge, E., Schotsmans, E., Wilson, A., Stadler, S., & Forbes, S. (2014). Forensic cadaveric decomposition profiling by GC×GC-TOFMS analysis of VOCS. Chemical Bulletin of Kazakh National University, 72(4), 177-186. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.15328/chemb_2013_4177-186
Issue
Vol 72 No 4 (2013): Chemical Bulletin of Kazakh National University
Section
Analytical Chemistry
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