Barking up the wrong plea?
Monday, October 11, 2010 at 6:05PM “I found my daughter’s car today, and it smells like there’s been a dead body in the damn car.”
- Cindy Anthony
You know, I really wanted to title this post, Cryogenic oven-trapping gas chromatography for analysis of volatile organic compounds in body fluids, but it was already taken. Darn those three, K. Watanabe-Suzuki, A. Ishii and O. Suzuki. They left nothing for another man’s creative imagination.
On July 24, 2008, Investigator Mike Vincent of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office sent Oak Ridge National Laboratory a carpet sample from the trunk of Casey’s Pontiac, the one that contained the damn dead pizza with squirrel topping smell. All kidding aside, what tests were performed on the air quality in that trunk was a very serious matter. Whether or not the judge allows the forensic report to be admitted as evidence in the case against Casey is of tantamount importance to both the state and defense, where the life or death of the accused may be in the balance. The judge will have to weigh heavily the type of science it is - something never used in a court of law. Is it truly a valid science or is it junk, as Casey’s defense has implied? To grasp the basic concept of what it is, we must understand it first.
To begin with, there’s nothing quite like real, live witnesses; the ones who will testify in court that the car smelled like death and decomposition. There’s no escaping it. Cindy smelled it, George smelled it, Lee smelled it, and certainly, lots of law enforcement officials running around the Anthony home on July 15, 2008, smelled it, and many of those officials were duly trained in detecting decomposition of the human body. Just like the pungent smell of marijuana, there’s no escaping its uniqueness. Once you smell death, you never forget it. I believe it is in our primordial genes. The very first time it impacts you, you know what it is. No need for an education. No learning curve. No one need tell you what it is. Coupled with the scientific results, it could smell, er, spell doom for Ms. Casey. Even without it, the odor is what it is: decomp. No squirrels or other organic matter was found, lest a few crumbs of dried up pepperoni, if that.
The carpet sample sent in July was not the only thing parceled out. On September 3, Dr. Neal Haskell included air samples from the trunk, paper towels, and a white trash bag, both containing fly pupae. Dr. Haskell is a forensic entomology expert - forensic refers to investigation into the cause of death and entomology refers to insects. He is part of the faculty (Biology Department) at St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana.
According to Oak Ridge, compounds in all the samples were identified by mass spectral library match, which means they were compared against known samples that exist in a library. Without getting too complex, verifications were determined from standards purchased from the Sigma-Aldrich Chemical Company. It’s like comparing samples of anything against a known bank of information pertaining to that subject matter.
The first carpet sample was placed in a sealed metal can. A preliminary analysis was performed by extracting a small amount of air from the can. It was injected into a Hewlett-Packard Gas Chromotagraph/Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) equipped with a Hewlett-Packard Mass Selective Detector. If this sounds anything like the Turbo Encabulator, it’s not even remotely close. Hewlett-Packard never made one. Alas, only a few compounds were observed in the sample, primarily chloroform, and it became apparent the sample wasn’t strong enough, so it was deemed necessary to increase the sensitivity in order to find a lower abundance of compounds - if they were present at all. According to the report, the technique selected for concentrating the sample was cryogenic trapping, which can improve detection of organic compounds ten-fold. Cryo-trapping is widely used for the analysis of fragrances and odors.
For these analyses, cryo-trapping was performed by injecting air into a short loop of inert stainless-steel tubing connected between the injector of the gas chromatograph and the head of the GC column. The stainless-steel loop was cooled with liquid nitrogen which condensed the organic compounds present in the air sample, while allowing the nitrogen and oxygen to be vented away from the GC/MS. Normal heating of the GC oven during analysis cycle vaporized the condensed organic compounds in the stainless-steel loop and allowed them to traverse through the GC column into the mass spectrometer.¹
If you are not familiar with cryogenics, think of cryonics, which is the “science of using ultra-cold temperature to preserve human life with the intent of restoring good health when technology becomes available to do so,” according to the Alcor Website. Rumor has it that Walt Disney’s head is frozen and kept under the Cinderella Castle at Disney World, here in Orlando, but that’s not true. His whole body is on ice in a hidden chamber beneath Pirates of The Caribbean at Disneyland. Actually, none of that is true. Dearly departed Disney was cremated, head and all, and his ashes rest in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. Cryo no more.
Back to the matter at hand…
The carpet sample was removed from the metal can and placed in a Tedlar bag for 2 days at 35 degrees Celsius (C) and allowed to off-gas into the bag. Kind of like a silent, but deadly, if you get my drift. Tedlar bags have many uses in many industries, including air sampling, hazardous waste, and other gas sampling needs.
The report admitted that gasoline was found in the trunk and it was likely a source of significant hydrocarbon interference that caused an overlap with about 41% of the chemicals typically observed in decompositional events. This may wreak havoc on the state’s claims. The defense will jump on this like flies on… flypaper. Of the 51 chemicals identified on the carpet sample from Casey’s vehicle, 80% were consistent with decompositional events. A mere 17 of the 51 overlapped with known or possible gasoline constituents, leaving 24 compounds - 59% - associated with decomposing human remains potentially unaccounted for. In other words, there was no other way to explain their existence, such as pepperoni. There are lots more examples in the report, but to go into every aspect would be boring and quite tormenting. Suffice it to say that in its conclusion, the report summed up things nicely.
What the lab determined was that odor from early decomposition was present, including “an unusually large concentration of chloroform - far greater than what is typically seen in human decomposition.” There was also an increased level of sulfur containing compounds found, which are “particularly characteristic of decompositional events.” Certainly, of particular interest to the defense is the report’s conclusion that the possibility exists there could be a variety of products that could have contributed to the overall chemical signature.
How much credence should we, as untrained laymen, put into the Oak Ridge report? Laywomen, too. No discrimination intended or implied. Our opinions won’t count in court, but it makes for great discussion. What we may lose sight of are the lab tests conducted for OCSO because we keep wishing upon a star that Casey will be found guilty, so we sometimes skew the results. To be frank, we’re not even into what the defense experts will bring into battle, but we do have another report at our fingertips; the findings of Michael E. Sigman, Ph.D., Assistant Director for Physical Evidence at the National Center for Forensic Science on the campus of the University of Central Florida, right in Casey’s backyard.
Here is a list of what was analyzed and reported in Air Analysis Results: Caylee Anthony Missing Child Investigation²:
Some samples were not tested at NCFS, but an interpretation of the findings stated that“… dimethyl disulfide, tetrachloroethene and Chloroform are known to be liberated from decomposition of human remains. These three compounds were not found in a representative gasoline sample in the NCFS database. Dimethyl disulfide occurs naturally in cabbage and onion.” Was that pizza ordered with onions and pepperoni? “Tetrachloroethene is used in dry cleaning and may be used in spot removers. Chloroform may be used as a degreaser and may be formed through the reaction of chlorine bleach with some organic chemicals.”
What Dr. Sigman concluded was that the presense of dimethyl disulfide, tetrachloroethene and chloroform did not conclusively demonstrate that human decomp was present in the trunk. There were too many other possible sources.
These were the findings of Oak Ridge and NCFS, and not my opinion. In other words, I have no dog in this fight other than a cause similar to everyone else that’s compassionate about this case and looking for complete and final justice for Caylee. Speaking of dogs, though, the defense is going to look into all of this in a lot more depth and try to convince the jury a machine could never replace a canine nose. Therefore, it’s inconclusive. On the other hand, didn’t a dog also hit on human decompostion in that trunk? How is defense attorney Dorothy Clay Sims, a specialist in medical-expert witness cross-examinations, going to bark back at a dog?
I recommend reading Air science could be used for first time ever in Anthony case by Anthony Colarossi, Orlando Sentinel, October 8, 2010.
Dave Knechel | tagged A. Ishii, Alcor, Anthony Colarossi, Gas Chromotagraph/Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS), Hewlett-Packard, K. Watanabe-Suzuki, Mass Selective Detector, O. Suzuki, Sigma-Aldrich Chemical Company, Walt Disney, cryogenic trapping | in Capital Punishment, Casey Anthony, Caylee Anthony, Cheney Mason, Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Dave Knechel, David B. Knechel, David Knechel, Death Penalty, Dorothy Clay Sims, Dr. Arpad Vass, Dr. Michael E. Sigman, Dr. Neal Haskill, Forensic Entomology, Human Interest, Marinade Dave, Marinade Dave’s Caylee Anthony Posts, Mike Vincent, NCFS, National Center for Forensic Science, OCSO, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, State Attorney's Office, University of Central Florida, University of Tennessee, marinadedave | Share Article 
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Reader Comments (59)
I have read in other blogs about the circumstantial evidence and the fact the LEO failed to pursue any other suspect and the possibilities that this could potentially become a threat to the prosecution but, as I pointed out to the blogger, LE followed-up on thousands of leads and continued to do so even when the remains of Caylee were discovered. But like Patti-O pointed out the circumstantial evidence has validity and the proclivity of KC helps it. Her behavior leading up to and following show much more then what evidence could explain, or for that matter explain away.
Therefore the facts, that I will reiterate from Patti-0’s entry and add some I thought pertinent:
She did not work for Universal
She did not work for Sports Authority
Her and Mr. Hopkins were not romantically involved
ZFG did not baby site his son
There was no one living at Sawgrass Apt. (I will also add the fact that she states she just dropped her off and let her walk up to the apt. door…she was 2)
The police report indicates Caylee was dropped off between the hours between 8 and 1 (or something to that affect)
No purchases suggesting she had a child between June 15-July 15
She rented a movie on the night her daughter disappeared
She woke up several times in the night amidst nightmares.
She explained the smell emitting from her car as a squirrel (no squirrel remains were ever found)
She said her daughter was at various places-Disney World, Sea World, etc.
Got a very suspicious tattoo
Her dad had a stroke/heart attack
Her mom and dad were separating
Her dad was cheating (this one I am not sure if it was proven if he did or not)
Her dad and brother molested her
She was in Jacksonville (with her car), as she told her mom, when in fact her car was at the impound lot and in their garage.
So even with this “circumstantial” evidence it says a lot. Most cases with circumstantial evidence is it compiled like this. In many cases I can see how you can pose reasonable doubt (if the glove don’t fit you must acquit) but in this instance you can’t explain away any of this therefore it is circumstantial with validity (IMO) I will add this though; in respects to the molestation allegations I believe, like what others believe, this was an attempt to gain trust with an inmate who spoke of her issues in the past and KC tried to show compassion and understanding. It was probably never meant for our eyes but obviously it blew-up in her face and knocked off some brownie points between her dad and brother but again that’s just my opinion.
I can imagine we could all make a compelling list and these are just a few.
There is so much evidence against her it's not silly, B-Man. That's why I think it's an uphill battle for the defense except that the state must prove its case. There are too many things going against Casey, especially her lack of emotion. That was crucial in sinking Scott Peterson, but for sure, it's not as easy to sentence a woman to death as a man, especially a pretty one, unlike Aileen Wuornos. I'm not trying to make a personal statement, that's just the facts of life.
I will say that I did not believe Casey when she implicated her father of sexual molestation. I've been up close and personal with him. I've talked to him, and, although he may have emotional issues, like who wouldn't, he has never struck me as a deviant. If anything, he would shoot to kill anyone who ever touched his daughter without her permission. Like you, that's my opinion.
31 days, unreported, will stick to the jury like white on rice. There is no lessening of the impact of that.
Dave; Well I'm scratching my head trying to understand all the high tech words and equipment used to measure air contents. It is my opinion that the Defence could easily tick off the jury if they try to confuse them with too many experts, lingo and long drawn out testimonies. If a jury is going to sit through as much evidence as the case is now proving it has, I would imagine their attention to this part of the trial is going to be somewhat waining after a day of it. The real guts of the case, is Casey never reporting her daughter missing to either her family or the Police. This is where the Prosecution has the power and the facts. However, once they hear that Cindy, George, Lee et al believed the smell in the car was that of a dead body, it won't be hard for the jurors to deliberate on that part of the case. JMO
True, Skat. Starchy white rice. Brown rice isn't like that. Trust me, I know. Diabetics eat brown rice. Carbs can be as bad as sugar, especially husked rice. No fiber.
Hi, Weezie - Your opinion is just like many othes. There's no way to explain the month of silence while partying and the smell in the car. Just no way. As for the high tech words and language, the state has just as much to be careful of as the defense. Unless the defense can come up with a catchy phrase that makes sense, like "if the glove doesn't fit...", this should be something the state can prove by those key ingredients. Time and smell. Your opinion is solid.
Great to see you!
Hey, B-Man, I didn't see you sneak in. Sgt. John Allen personally told me that over 100 LE officials continued to search for Caylee, all over the country, until her remains were identified. This included field agents situated all around. The FBI and other federal, state and local authorities continued the search. I know this for a fact.
All of that evidence you mention will add up and the jury will see only one person who was completely responsible for Caylee's life and safety. Casey had control. No one else. No one else exists.
Hi Dave; Thanks for your comments. I love coming here and I told you once summer was over I would be back at the typewriter, oh I mean puter. I think you are on to something.
If there was pizza in the car, then the truth is stretched too far. - Prosecution
If you believe the Prosecution they would choose Electrocution - Defence
Missing for thirty you can bet there's something dirty - Prosecution
If the facts are unreliable then innocence is viable - Defence
How many can we come up with? I'd sure like to see everyone's take on this.
We might even go for a prize to the winner. What you do you say Dave?
He, Weezie - It's great to have you back, let me tell you!
I would like to see an outline of all the facts as the prosecution sees them, right alongside the same type of outline from a defense perspective. That would be very compelling. Maybe we can all put our heads together, come up with something like that and give each other a prize.
I'll be back in about an hour.