Forensic taphonomy: identification of biochemicals expelled from single organ and whole mammal decomposition

The breakdown of biological tissue during mammalian decomposition results in the production of both gases and liquids. These substances are the result of large molecules, such as proteins breaking down to create smaller compounds A large number of factors affect this process, and therefore a series of experiments are needed to be conducted to understand the complex process of the decomposition process. Much of the research in this area focusses on two avenues; detection/recovery of mammalian remains, and the development/enhancement of the methods used to determine the time since death. This project looks to combine a variety of analytical techniques, to develop methodologies that are more reliable and sensitive to better understand the chemical applications to forensic taphonomy. The aim was to conduct multi-disciplinary and multi-model experiments, to encapsulate the complex reaction mechanisms that occur during mammalian decomposition. The impact of extraneous variables is a commonly identified aspect within the literature, and prevents the correlation to any real understanding of what occurs during the decomposition process. As a result, laboratory controlled experiments with varying artificial environments (aerobic/anaerobic/aerobic buried) were undertaken to explore the fundamental biochemical breakdown of biological tissue. Single organ and whole mammal decomposition studies were conducted, to identify the variation of between the various tissue types. Field experiment were also conducted to look at how impactful the extraneous variables had on the process of decomposition and to highlight any similarities or differences Various analytical techniques were used to analyse a wide range of analytes, however the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was the main focus of the research. The analysis of the medium surrounding the whole mammal was also analysed towards the later stages of the research, looking at the soil VOCs, anionic content and response by cadaver dogs.