Scent the forgotten evidence: a novel technique for scent collection
Scent the forgotten evidence: a novel technique for scent collection
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Issue Date
2007
Authors
Harvey, Lisa M.
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Abstract
The Scent Transfer Unit™ (STU-100) is a low-powered vacuum device designed
to collect human scent from a person directly or scent found on an article, thereby
transferring the scent to a gauze pad. The benefit of using the STU-100 is to minimize
destruction of forensic evidence while collecting scent. The gauze pad used in the STU-
100 is thought to be able to trap and store volatile compounds. The pad could then be
presented to a bloodhound for trailing. The present study utilized five well-trained
bloodhounds, to compare the dog’s ability to trail using scent collected by the STU-100
and scent placed directly on an article. The bloodhounds were able to Sesntian find the
trail layers 97.3% and 94.6% of the time using either a scent pad or an article,
respectively. Employing the STU-100 can significantly decrease contamination or
destruction of evidence and allows for easier storage of scent materials.
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Keywords
Forensic science