Abstract By studying insect populations and subsequent larval stages, forensic examiners can use entomology as a tool to estimate time of death, evaluate trauma present in body, and even determine if the corpse was moved based on the types of insects found. Due to the close contact between insect and decomposition source, this study aimed to investigate whether a larval mass sample could yield an odor profile distinctive of the various stages of decomposition using pig cadavers as models. Instrumental evaluation utilized Solid Phase-Microextraction (SPME) coupled with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for the identification of extracted volatile odor profiles of maggots. There were 107 compounds detected in larvae samples. Of these, a total of 10 compounds were selected as frequently occurring in the larvae matrix. Sulfurs and ketones were observed in the early stages of decomposition, followed by alcohols such as phenol and indole in later stages. Based on the analysis of released volatile organic compounds, it is feasible to use a larval odor sample to detect previously reported decomposition odor volatiles and through continuous sampling, the odor profile changes as a function of decomposition. Principal component analysis depicted a preliminary decomposition stage clustering of larvae odor profiles using only the selected volatile array pattern. More research is therefore needed to confirm this trend over longer longitudinal and temperature perspectives. This study, however, provides an initial foundation as to how these larval mass odor profiles could provide a preliminary path for a new tool in PMI determination.

中文翻译：

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现场分解环境中幼虫体的挥发性气味特征的表征

摘要 通过研究昆虫种群和随后的幼虫阶段，法医检验人员可以使用昆虫学作为工具来估计死亡时间、评估身体存在的创伤，甚至根据发现的昆虫类型确定尸体是否被移动。由于昆虫和分解源之间的密切接触，本研究旨在调查幼虫质量样本是否可以产生以猪尸体为模型的不同分解阶段的独特气味特征。仪器评估利用固相微萃取 (SPME) 结合气相色谱-质谱 (GC-MS) 来鉴定蛆的提取挥发性气味谱。在幼虫样品中检测到 107 种化合物。其中，总共选择了 10 种化合物，因为它们经常出现在幼虫基质中。在分解的早期阶段观察到硫和酮，随后在后期阶段观察到醇类，例如苯酚和吲哚。基于对释放的挥发性有机化合物的分析，可以使用幼虫气味样本检测先前报告的分解气味挥发物，并通过连续采样，气味特征随分解而变化。主成分分析仅使用选定的挥发性阵列模式描述了幼虫气味分布的初步分解阶段聚类。因此，需要更多的研究来从更长的纵向和温度角度来确认这一趋势。然而，这项研究为这些幼虫质量气味特征如何为 PMI 测定的新工具提供初步途径提供了初步基础。