Human scent as a biometric measurement

This papar describes an analytical determination of the chemical composition and variation of the chemicals in body odor among individuals through headspace solid phase micro-extraction gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) as a possible biometric measurement. Biometrics is the technique of measuring a physical characteristic or personal trait of an individual and comparing that characteristic to a database for the purpose of identification. It is known that the human body produces odor, and that this odor is distinguishable through the use of canines. The chemical composition of an individual's body odor is considered a physical characteristic. This paper discusses and compares the odor profiles produced from the hands as well as the armpit regions of different individuals. Chromatographic distinction among the individuals studied is shown through a combination of the relative ratios of common compounds and the presence of differing compounds.