Scientists from the International University of Florida have found that they can determine the gender of a person’s hand odor with 96% accuracy. The results of the research have been published magazine PLOS ONE. This discovery can be used when conducting a forensic examination in solving crimes.
The study’s authors conducted an experiment involving 30 men and 30 women. Participants did not wash their hands for one hour, after which they were asked to hold the treated gauze on their hands for 10 minutes. Thus, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) remained on the tissue along with the epidermis. These substances are secreted by the body and their composition depends on the genetics of the host, environmental factors and physiological characteristics of the person.
The scientists performed several different analyzes, including gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and various statistical analyses. Apparently, the VOC can determine a person’s gender with 96.67% accuracy. The VOC profiles are significantly different in men and women, but it is still unknown what substances and their ratios distinguish male hand odor from female hand odor. Scientists will find the answer to this question in future studies.
Scientists formerly at Harvard Medical School to solvewhere the clitoris and penis have special nerve endings that specialize in responding to vibration.