Multiplicity of human scent signature
Abstract Background In this paper, the term “human scent signature” refers to a group of chemical compounds in a human scent trace that are in certain relative concentrations that make an unambiguous identification of persons possible. At the present time, the scent identification of persons is perf...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2019-02-01
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| Series: | Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41935-019-0112-z |
| _version_ | 1818327079747321856 |
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| author | Petr Doležal Kenneth G. Furton Jana Lněničková Pavlína Kyjaková Veronika Škeříková Irena Valterová Ludvík Pinc Štěpán Urban |
| author_facet | Petr Doležal Kenneth G. Furton Jana Lněničková Pavlína Kyjaková Veronika Škeříková Irena Valterová Ludvík Pinc Štěpán Urban |
| author_sort | Petr Doležal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background In this paper, the term “human scent signature” refers to a group of chemical compounds in a human scent trace that are in certain relative concentrations that make an unambiguous identification of persons possible. At the present time, the scent identification of persons is performed using specially trained canines. However, the scent identification mechanism as well as the molecular composition of the human scent signature is entirely unrecognized. Delimitations of the group of chemical compounds according to their volatilities that specially trained canines use for the scent identification of persons were initially the main aim of this study. Methods Eleven volunteer scent samples were split into three groups of chemical compounds, i.e., into three disjointed scent fractions with different volatilities of the compounds via preparative gas chromatography. The human scent signatures were searched in these separated scent fractions using six specially trained canines (female German Shepherds). Results The canines were able to identify individual persons successfully using different scent fractions. From this fact, it follows that one scent trace can contain more than only one group of scent compounds that can be used for scent identification by the trained canines. This observed phenomenon was named as “the multiplicity of the human scent signature” in this study. The scent identification line-up procedure provided the following results: The poorly volatile fraction resulted in an 85% success rate in the scent identification procedure. The middle fraction resulted in a 58% success rate, and the highly volatile fraction resulted in a 30% success rate. Conclusions In this study, it was found that the human scent sample contains more than one group of scent compounds; according to which the trained canines are able to identify human individuals. It means that the human scent sample contains more than only one scent signature. The authors of this research believe that results of this study will open a broad discussion about the multiplicity of the human scent signature, primary scent molecules, optimal canine training, and in general, the scent identification method in many countries. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T12:10:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9f49b9a6691a46d19bcd341c20ab893d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2090-5939 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T12:10:34Z |
| publishDate | 2019-02-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-9f49b9a6691a46d19bcd341c20ab893d2022-12-21T23:46:51ZengSpringerOpenEgyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences2090-59392019-02-01911710.1186/s41935-019-0112-zMultiplicity of human scent signaturePetr Doležal0Kenneth G. Furton1Jana Lněničková2Pavlína Kyjaková3Veronika Škeříková4Irena Valterová5Ludvík Pinc6Štěpán Urban7Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology PragueInternational Forensic Research Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International UniversityCanine Behavior Research Center, Department of Animal Science and Ethology, Czech University of Life Sciences PragueInstitute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of SciencesDepartment of Analytical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology PragueInstitute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of SciencesCanine Behavior Research Center, Department of Animal Science and Ethology, Czech University of Life Sciences PragueDepartment of Analytical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology PragueAbstract Background In this paper, the term “human scent signature” refers to a group of chemical compounds in a human scent trace that are in certain relative concentrations that make an unambiguous identification of persons possible. At the present time, the scent identification of persons is performed using specially trained canines. However, the scent identification mechanism as well as the molecular composition of the human scent signature is entirely unrecognized. Delimitations of the group of chemical compounds according to their volatilities that specially trained canines use for the scent identification of persons were initially the main aim of this study. Methods Eleven volunteer scent samples were split into three groups of chemical compounds, i.e., into three disjointed scent fractions with different volatilities of the compounds via preparative gas chromatography. The human scent signatures were searched in these separated scent fractions using six specially trained canines (female German Shepherds). Results The canines were able to identify individual persons successfully using different scent fractions. From this fact, it follows that one scent trace can contain more than only one group of scent compounds that can be used for scent identification by the trained canines. This observed phenomenon was named as “the multiplicity of the human scent signature” in this study. The scent identification line-up procedure provided the following results: The poorly volatile fraction resulted in an 85% success rate in the scent identification procedure. The middle fraction resulted in a 58% success rate, and the highly volatile fraction resulted in a 30% success rate. Conclusions In this study, it was found that the human scent sample contains more than one group of scent compounds; according to which the trained canines are able to identify human individuals. It means that the human scent sample contains more than only one scent signature. The authors of this research believe that results of this study will open a broad discussion about the multiplicity of the human scent signature, primary scent molecules, optimal canine training, and in general, the scent identification method in many countries.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41935-019-0112-zForensic scienceForensic odorologyForensic olfactory identificationsPreparative gas chromatographyScent identification line-upHuman scent signature |
| spellingShingle | Petr Doležal Kenneth G. Furton Jana Lněničková Pavlína Kyjaková Veronika Škeříková Irena Valterová Ludvík Pinc Štěpán Urban Multiplicity of human scent signature Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences Forensic science Forensic odorology Forensic olfactory identifications Preparative gas chromatography Scent identification line-up Human scent signature |
| title | Multiplicity of human scent signature |
| title_full | Multiplicity of human scent signature |
| title_fullStr | Multiplicity of human scent signature |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multiplicity of human scent signature |
| title_short | Multiplicity of human scent signature |
| title_sort | multiplicity of human scent signature |
| topic | Forensic science Forensic odorology Forensic olfactory identifications Preparative gas chromatography Scent identification line-up Human scent signature |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41935-019-0112-z |
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