Analysis of Perfumes and Deodorants

We apply chemicals to our bodies every day through the use of products such as perfume, antiperspirant and deodorant. Most of the chemicals in these products are highly persistent and, with a wide variety of brands to choose from, the "chemical profile" of a person may be quite individualising. This would suggest that perfumes, antiperspirants and deodorants have the potential to be forensically useful and yet no comprehensive study in this area has been published to date.

My research will look at collecting and analysing samples of these products from crime-scenes, suspects, victims and discarded clothing with the aim of answering questions such as: Can a forensic chemist match an item of clothing to a suspect? Do traces of an attacker's aftershave transfer to a rape victim's clothing and provide intelligence about where the man shops and his socio-economic status?