Casey Anthony trial: Expert testifies about human decomposition - OS

Casey Anthony trial: Expert testifies about human decomposition
By Walter Pacheco, Orlando Sentinel
3:16 p.m. EDT, June 6, 2011

Excerpt:

Human decomposition, odor of decay and other highly scientific testimony started the morning's discussions in the first-degree murder case against accused child killer Casey Anthony.

Dr. Arpad Vass, a scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, found that while not conclusive, nearly all the compounds present in early human decomposition were detected in the trunk of Casey Anthony's Pontiac Sunfire.

Vass explained some of the air sample work he conducted for this case, stating that he sent an air pump and special "traps" to Orange County Sheriff's Office officials. Those items were intended to capture air samples from the Pontiac and from the garage bay where it was stored at the Sheriff's Office.

His testimony is highly technical. The defense made repeated objections to Vass testifying; however, Chief Judge Belvin Perry approved him as an expert in forensic anthropology and allowed evidence from his work on the case to be admitted.

Vass has given testimony about what factors impact the rate of decomposition after death. Temperature is the most important factor followed by water content, pH and oxygen.

Muscle and skin breaks down into so-called "volatile fatty acids," said Vass.

Earlier, Vass said that human decomposition does have a distinguishable odor.

More: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/caylee-anthony/os-casey-anthony-trial-day-11-20110606,0,5363419.story