Forensic Research & Technology

Statement of the Problem: Th e use of human scent as a source of trace evidence for investigative purposes is experiencing a renaissance of valuable forensic research pivotal to law enforcement applications, specifi cally in the realm of canine detection tools. Various challenges have surfaced in courts of law across the world that questions the validity and reliability of this technique that employs biological detectors to alert to human scent traces. Th ere is a limited body of scientifi c literature which pertains to the specifi c human odor signatures a canine alerts to when it makes a positive scent match with a subject. Th e available scientifi c studies investigating the origin and defi nition of human odor have focused mainly on the composition of human sweat in relation to hygiene and biological pathways rather than a more general description of human body odor.Thus, the identifi cation and characterization of key human odor volatiles play an essential role in understanding human scent

evidence as an individualizing physical trait. Methodology & Th eoretical Orientation: An overview of the state of forensic odorology both nationally and abroad is presented giving specifi c cases and experiments that focus on the use of human odor as evidence in forensic applications.

Findings: Th e usefulness of this trace evidence is highlighted by depicting operational applications of the use of human scent and canine teams. Th e research highlights the need for more practical laboratory investigations to understand and validate active canine operations.

Conclusion & Signifi cance: Forensic odorology has witnessed a lengthy developmental process leading to its current status as evidentiary tool. With the help of scientifi c validation eff orts, this technique may prove to be a powerful tool within forensicinvestigative processes worldwide.