Casey Anthony Trial Update: Human decomposition smells different from animals, says "body farm" doctor
(CBS/WKMG/AP) ORLANDO, Fla. - Dr. Arpad Vass, a research scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, where bodies are donated and studied for decomposition, took the stand today in the Casey Anthony trial
Pictures: Casey and Caylee Anthony, Personal Photos
Vass, who works at the facility also known as the "body farm," pioneered a novel technique for detecting human decomposition from air samples, reports CBS affiliate WKMG.
"Over the years, we have followed about 50 people from start to finish. They were [recently deceased] when they came in and ended in skeleton [form]. We followed those 50 people and also looked at hundreds of people at a single time doing various procedures," Vass said, reports the station.
State Attorney Jeff Ashton then asked, "In that time, did you find the odor of human decomposition to be distinct?"
"Yes," Vass responded, adding that the odor is different than the smell of animal decomposition.
Anthony's lead attorney, Jose Baez, objected numerous times during the state's questioning of Vass, saying he was speaking outside the area of his expertise. Judge Belvin Perry overruled the vast majority of Baez's objections.
Prosecutors are trying to prove that Anthony suffocated her daughter, Caylee, with duct tape in the summer of 2008. The defense said the toddler drowned in her grandparents' swimming pool, reports WKMG.
Anthony has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, the 25-year-old Anthony could be sentenced to death.
The Casey Anthony case was recently reported on by "48 Hours Mystery."