Detection and Identification of Chemical Signatures
Abstract
The investigation was initiated to study human airborne chemical signatures. A novel apparatus was designed and constructed with inner surfaces of glass and Teflon to permit close control of experimental environment and to monitor humidity and oxygen content. An efficient signature collection system was developed, and techniques of sample acquisition and gas chromatographic analysis were established. The results of signature collection experiments performed on selected human subjects revealed several important features. Seven signature components were found to be common to white, Negro, and Indian males and a white female. It is probable that ethanol, butanol, acetone, and pyruvic and lactic acids are among the common components. Other compounds were found to be common to selected pairs of subjects compared. Some components were characteristic only of a certain individual among those studied and either do not occur in others or exist below the detection limits. Chemical signatures from the same white male individual obtained 14 days apart exhibited large similarities. Less significant similarities were observed between the latter signatures and those from other subjects.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 12, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0628584
Entities
People
- A. Dravnieks
- B. K. Krotsozynski
Organizations
- IIT Research Institute