The Scent of Death (and Why It’s Important) — Speaking of Chemistry

Studying odors from corpses may sound macabre, but it’s actually a virtuous vocation. Researchers in this field are helping find missing bodies lost in natural disasters or hidden by murderers. ↓↓More info and references below↓↓

Huge thanks to Mary Cablk for her help with this episode and for sharing her amazing photos and videos of Inca. Learn more about Mary’s work here: https://www.dri.edu/mary-cablk-research

If this episode leaves you wanting more macabre chemistry, check out the featured resources below.

Scientists search for death’s aroma | C&EN
http://cen.acs.org/articles/94/i14/Scientists-search-deaths-aroma.html

Stiff | A New York Times bestseller by Mary Roach
http://maryroach.net/stiff.html

Forensic Anthropology Center | University of Tennessee
https://fac.utk.edu/

And did you know you can buy putrescine and cadaverine online? It’s true. Google it.

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Speaking of Chemistry is a production of Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), the weekly news magazine of the American Chemical Society.
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