JWG
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The following emails were part of the last discovery but not uploaded by the media. I thought sleuthers might find them interesting.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 2:47 PM
To: Melich, Yuri (OCSO)
Subject: prelim case report
Attachments: Melich - Forensic report.doc; Melich - Table 1.doc
Detective Melich, please call me if you have additional questions. We are currently preparing your shipment. Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 2:56 PM
To: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Subject: MSDS
Doctor Vass
The attached file is the MSDS for Blustar. Let me know if this did or did not help. Thanks.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 3:11 PM
To: Vincent, Michael
Subject: RE: MSDS
Mike, got this much myself. It just nowhere lists the actual chemical ingredients that make it up. If the information is proprietary then you might have to call the company and get that information. They wouldnt give it to someone like me. Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 3:12 PM
To: 'Vass, Arpad Alexander'
Subject: RE: MSDS
I give them a call and see what I can do.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 6:04 PM
To: Vincent, Michael
Subject: RE: **Exempt**
Mike, it all depends how the new formula is different. I dont think it will contribute decomp compounds to the odor, but you can understand that I have to make sure. Thanks, Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 8:44 PM
To: 'Vass, Arpad Alexander'
Subject: RE: **Exempt**
I understand. I want to make sure you have all the information you need to help you in your findings.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 5:30 PM
To: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Subject: **Exempt**
Doc,
I check the trash that was in the vehicle there was no meat products in the trash. There were pieces of a pizza box and other food containers. I will be emailing you a picture of the items first thing tomorrow.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 5:33 PM
To: Vincent, Michael
Subject: RE: **Exempt**
Mike, not sure how I got that there was a pizza in the trunk sorry about that one, but can you send me an itemized list of stuff that was in the trunk at the time the car was searched? Also, were the maggots on the pizza box?? Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 5:40 PM
To: 'Vass, Arpad Alexander'
Subject: RE: **Exempt**
The pizza story came from the mother, who told reporters the smell was from pizza in the trunk. A local news station left a half of pizza in a trunk for seven days, there results were no smell, no maggots, just dried out pizza. I will send you the list along with the pictures.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2008 12:40 PM
To: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Cc: Yuri.Melich@ocfl.net
Subject: **Exempt**
Doc,
Attached is a list of items that was in the trash bag in the vehicle. Also attached are pictures of the items. If there is anything else I can help you with please let me know.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 11:28 AM
To: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Subject: Package **Exempt**
Doc,
Seven of the glass tubes were broken. How important are the glass tubes, can I ship them back in a different container?
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 11:51 AM
To: Vincent, Michael
Subject: RE: Package **Exempt**
Mike, unbelieveable! Fortunately the glass tubes are not important at all, just a means of shipping (safe we thought). Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 11:56 AM
To: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Subject: RE: Package **Exempt**
So it is ok to go ahead with testing? Also the pizza box is in three large pieces, is it ok to place them in a plastic bag, seal the bag and take the samples?
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 11:59 AM
To: Vincent, Michael
Subject: RE: Package **Exempt**
Perfect. Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 1:31 PM
To: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Subject: RE: Package **Exempt**
Arpad,
Question? Would you like to have an air sample of all of the trash collectively? I can seal all the trash in a container and take a sample.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 1:51 PM
To: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Subject: RE: Package **Exempt**
Yes, that would replace the pizza box alone sample. Excellent idea! Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 2:15 PM
To: Vincent, Michael
Subject: RE: **Exempt**
Mike, we are still very curious about the very high levels of chloroform we saw in the trunk sample. I know you said nothing was found in the house search, but did the mother or other family member or friend/other relative have any access to pharmaceutical supplies ie working in a lab or hospital, veterinary clinic etc?? Just a thought. Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 2:52 PM
To: 'Vass, Arpad Alexander'
Subject: RE: **Exempt**
Mom is a registered nurse in a old folks home. But the daughter had sole custody of the vehicle. However, a forensic search of the home computer revealed Google search on How to make chloroform. They are trying to pin down a time on the search to see who conducted the search.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 2:54 PM
To: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Subject: **Exempt**
Doc,
When I do a sample with one TST what do I do if anything, to block off the second hose line?
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 2:57 PM
To: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Subject: RE: **Exempt**
Nothing just leave it flopping. Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 3:08 PM
To: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Subject: **Exempt**
Doc Vass,
The air samples and pump were shipped this morning they should be delivered to you by 1030am Wednesday, 9/3. The tracking number is 8619 0904 1289. They were individual packaged so they dont get broken. Also I included a property form for the reason of chain of custody only. I dont want to be a pain, and Im not asking this question, but, could you give me an estimated time on testing the new air samples. Also, if you send Detective Melich an email with your preliminary results could you please forward me a copy and CC me any other results you send him. Thank you. I am still checking on the makeup of the trunk liner, as soon as I get the info Ill email you. If there is anything else I could do to help you please let me know.
Thanks for all your help in this investigation.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 3:20 PM
To: Vincent, Michael
Subject: RE: **Exempt**
Mike, thanks. I will do everything you have asked. I will try very hard and get the next prelim (corrected this time in regard to the pizza) report out to you by COB this Friday. If the samples are loaded with compounds it just takes time to identify them all. I know this is important and time is critical. I appreciate your assistance in the sample collection and your patience. Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 3:34 PM
To: 'Vass, Arpad Alexander'
Subject: RE: **Exempt**
Doc,
On another note. I want to apologize for the prerelease of your findings so far. I didnt agree with it, for some reason and I still cant figure out why, they wanted to release all our findings.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2008 8:31 AM
To: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Subject: RE: **Exempt**
Mike, I try very hard not to second-guess people since I am well aware that I know very little of what is really going on in an investigation, but I think the early release of the chloroform data was a mistake. Since I am saying nothing to anyone outside my group, I am now getting criticized for other reasons and feel that it might be time to back away from this work. I will of course get the next report out to you and Yuri as promised as soon as I can. On a final note, some of the products we have seen include Pinene and Limonene. This could point to a (possibly) shallow marshy area with decaying vegetation. Is there such an area anywhere near where the car was found? Is it possible to get a topo map of the area? Would it be possible to speak to the individual leading the search from Necrosearch? Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 2:57 PM
To: Vincent, Michael; Melich, Yuri
Subject:
Yuri/Mike, Good news and bad bad first our GC/MS is down and I cant run the last few samples until we fix it so the report will be late I am REALLY sorry about that. Will try and get it out to you Monday or Tues I will try and come in this weekend and work on the system. Good news the LIBS analysis on the carpet sample is showing positive results (inorganic indicators of decomp are present (calcium, magnesium, etc.) nothing in controls. Finally I was hoping to get your permission to do a chemical extract on the piece of carpet you sent us looking for VFAs. If positive, this will give us odor, inorganic and organic markers for decomp. If we are really, really lucky we might be able to use the data to get a PMI. Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 3:09 PM
To: Melich, Yuri (OCSO); Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Subject: flies
Mike, forgot to mention something in my last email. I FINALLY got a call back from Dr. Neal Haskell, my entomologist friend, and he said that the fruit flies may really be coffin flies and that might be significant. He said that if you still have them to please send them to him at the following address and he will check them out.
Dr. Neal Haskell
425 Kannal Avenue
Rensselaer, Indiana 47978
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 5:22 PM
To: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Subject: RE:
Arpad,
Could you please advise me as to what LIBS and VFAs stand for. Thanks.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 7:45 AM
To: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Subject: RE:
Mike, sorry. I am so rushed and stressed these days I dont take the time to re-read everything. LIBS = Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy and is used to determine an elemental profile of the sample. Useful in this case to see if inorganic compounds common to decomp (calcium, magnesium, chloride, etc) are present. VFA= Volatile Fatty Acids which are produced from the breakdown of fat and muscle and, if present, are used for PMI (post-mortem interval) determinations during soft tissue decomp. Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 9:31 AM
To: Vincent, Michael
Subject:
Mike, sorry to bother you again, but had some additional (although odd) questions:
Does the family own a boat or have access to one? If so, has that been searched?
Has the Lake Fairview area been searched? Any connection to that Lake and where they live, friends, etc?
Im still working hard trying to get that report out to you. Hopefully today again sorry for the delay. Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 3:28 PM
To: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Cc: Yuri.Melich@ocfl.net
Subject: RE:
Arpad,
Sorry it took so long to get to you. The family does not have access to, or own a boat. There are several small, medium, and large retention ponds within the immediate area of the family home. As far as I know Lake Fairview area was not search. I am curious to know what zeroed you in on that area.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 3:56 PM
To: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Subject: RE:
Mike, just a hunch really. I dont really know where their house is or where the car was found in relation to their home or the Lake, or what direction it was pointing when it ran out of gas, or where her friends live, etc, etc, but looking at the Orlando area by Google Earth satellite imagery, that Lake seems the deepest with nice secluded access points and is large enough so that if you go out 700ish feet from shore nobody can see what your doing. Also the vegetation on the NNW area of that Lake seems to be of what I would expect would produce the pinene and limonene we detected in the trunk (although its tough to tell by computer and it might be all over the place). If she really is in a body of water, she would have to be either weighed down or in a container to keep from floating via bloat. Might be an easy search if you use side-scanning sonar (but dont know how deep the Lake is). The deeper, colder water there (also a hunch) might help prevent that from happening. Again hard to tell by satellite, but some of the remote parking garages appear to have cameras on their roofs also dont know if that helps any. Anyway Ill still waiting for some results better get back to work. Thanks for listening to my ravings. Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 2:47 PM
To: Melich, Yuri (OCSO)
Subject: prelim case report
Attachments: Melich - Forensic report.doc; Melich - Table 1.doc
Detective Melich, please call me if you have additional questions. We are currently preparing your shipment. Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 2:56 PM
To: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Subject: MSDS
Doctor Vass
The attached file is the MSDS for Blustar. Let me know if this did or did not help. Thanks.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 3:11 PM
To: Vincent, Michael
Subject: RE: MSDS
Mike, got this much myself. It just nowhere lists the actual chemical ingredients that make it up. If the information is proprietary then you might have to call the company and get that information. They wouldnt give it to someone like me. Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 3:12 PM
To: 'Vass, Arpad Alexander'
Subject: RE: MSDS
I give them a call and see what I can do.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 6:04 PM
To: Vincent, Michael
Subject: RE: **Exempt**
Mike, it all depends how the new formula is different. I dont think it will contribute decomp compounds to the odor, but you can understand that I have to make sure. Thanks, Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 8:44 PM
To: 'Vass, Arpad Alexander'
Subject: RE: **Exempt**
I understand. I want to make sure you have all the information you need to help you in your findings.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 5:30 PM
To: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Subject: **Exempt**
Doc,
I check the trash that was in the vehicle there was no meat products in the trash. There were pieces of a pizza box and other food containers. I will be emailing you a picture of the items first thing tomorrow.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 5:33 PM
To: Vincent, Michael
Subject: RE: **Exempt**
Mike, not sure how I got that there was a pizza in the trunk sorry about that one, but can you send me an itemized list of stuff that was in the trunk at the time the car was searched? Also, were the maggots on the pizza box?? Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 5:40 PM
To: 'Vass, Arpad Alexander'
Subject: RE: **Exempt**
The pizza story came from the mother, who told reporters the smell was from pizza in the trunk. A local news station left a half of pizza in a trunk for seven days, there results were no smell, no maggots, just dried out pizza. I will send you the list along with the pictures.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2008 12:40 PM
To: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Cc: Yuri.Melich@ocfl.net
Subject: **Exempt**
Doc,
Attached is a list of items that was in the trash bag in the vehicle. Also attached are pictures of the items. If there is anything else I can help you with please let me know.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 11:28 AM
To: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Subject: Package **Exempt**
Doc,
Seven of the glass tubes were broken. How important are the glass tubes, can I ship them back in a different container?
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 11:51 AM
To: Vincent, Michael
Subject: RE: Package **Exempt**
Mike, unbelieveable! Fortunately the glass tubes are not important at all, just a means of shipping (safe we thought). Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 11:56 AM
To: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Subject: RE: Package **Exempt**
So it is ok to go ahead with testing? Also the pizza box is in three large pieces, is it ok to place them in a plastic bag, seal the bag and take the samples?
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 11:59 AM
To: Vincent, Michael
Subject: RE: Package **Exempt**
Perfect. Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 1:31 PM
To: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Subject: RE: Package **Exempt**
Arpad,
Question? Would you like to have an air sample of all of the trash collectively? I can seal all the trash in a container and take a sample.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 1:51 PM
To: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Subject: RE: Package **Exempt**
Yes, that would replace the pizza box alone sample. Excellent idea! Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 2:15 PM
To: Vincent, Michael
Subject: RE: **Exempt**
Mike, we are still very curious about the very high levels of chloroform we saw in the trunk sample. I know you said nothing was found in the house search, but did the mother or other family member or friend/other relative have any access to pharmaceutical supplies ie working in a lab or hospital, veterinary clinic etc?? Just a thought. Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 2:52 PM
To: 'Vass, Arpad Alexander'
Subject: RE: **Exempt**
Mom is a registered nurse in a old folks home. But the daughter had sole custody of the vehicle. However, a forensic search of the home computer revealed Google search on How to make chloroform. They are trying to pin down a time on the search to see who conducted the search.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 2:54 PM
To: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Subject: **Exempt**
Doc,
When I do a sample with one TST what do I do if anything, to block off the second hose line?
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 2:57 PM
To: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Subject: RE: **Exempt**
Nothing just leave it flopping. Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 3:08 PM
To: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Subject: **Exempt**
Doc Vass,
The air samples and pump were shipped this morning they should be delivered to you by 1030am Wednesday, 9/3. The tracking number is 8619 0904 1289. They were individual packaged so they dont get broken. Also I included a property form for the reason of chain of custody only. I dont want to be a pain, and Im not asking this question, but, could you give me an estimated time on testing the new air samples. Also, if you send Detective Melich an email with your preliminary results could you please forward me a copy and CC me any other results you send him. Thank you. I am still checking on the makeup of the trunk liner, as soon as I get the info Ill email you. If there is anything else I could do to help you please let me know.
Thanks for all your help in this investigation.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 3:20 PM
To: Vincent, Michael
Subject: RE: **Exempt**
Mike, thanks. I will do everything you have asked. I will try very hard and get the next prelim (corrected this time in regard to the pizza) report out to you by COB this Friday. If the samples are loaded with compounds it just takes time to identify them all. I know this is important and time is critical. I appreciate your assistance in the sample collection and your patience. Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 3:34 PM
To: 'Vass, Arpad Alexander'
Subject: RE: **Exempt**
Doc,
On another note. I want to apologize for the prerelease of your findings so far. I didnt agree with it, for some reason and I still cant figure out why, they wanted to release all our findings.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2008 8:31 AM
To: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Subject: RE: **Exempt**
Mike, I try very hard not to second-guess people since I am well aware that I know very little of what is really going on in an investigation, but I think the early release of the chloroform data was a mistake. Since I am saying nothing to anyone outside my group, I am now getting criticized for other reasons and feel that it might be time to back away from this work. I will of course get the next report out to you and Yuri as promised as soon as I can. On a final note, some of the products we have seen include Pinene and Limonene. This could point to a (possibly) shallow marshy area with decaying vegetation. Is there such an area anywhere near where the car was found? Is it possible to get a topo map of the area? Would it be possible to speak to the individual leading the search from Necrosearch? Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 2:57 PM
To: Vincent, Michael; Melich, Yuri
Subject:
Yuri/Mike, Good news and bad bad first our GC/MS is down and I cant run the last few samples until we fix it so the report will be late I am REALLY sorry about that. Will try and get it out to you Monday or Tues I will try and come in this weekend and work on the system. Good news the LIBS analysis on the carpet sample is showing positive results (inorganic indicators of decomp are present (calcium, magnesium, etc.) nothing in controls. Finally I was hoping to get your permission to do a chemical extract on the piece of carpet you sent us looking for VFAs. If positive, this will give us odor, inorganic and organic markers for decomp. If we are really, really lucky we might be able to use the data to get a PMI. Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 3:09 PM
To: Melich, Yuri (OCSO); Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Subject: flies
Mike, forgot to mention something in my last email. I FINALLY got a call back from Dr. Neal Haskell, my entomologist friend, and he said that the fruit flies may really be coffin flies and that might be significant. He said that if you still have them to please send them to him at the following address and he will check them out.
Dr. Neal Haskell
425 Kannal Avenue
Rensselaer, Indiana 47978
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 5:22 PM
To: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Subject: RE:
Arpad,
Could you please advise me as to what LIBS and VFAs stand for. Thanks.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 7:45 AM
To: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Subject: RE:
Mike, sorry. I am so rushed and stressed these days I dont take the time to re-read everything. LIBS = Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy and is used to determine an elemental profile of the sample. Useful in this case to see if inorganic compounds common to decomp (calcium, magnesium, chloride, etc) are present. VFA= Volatile Fatty Acids which are produced from the breakdown of fat and muscle and, if present, are used for PMI (post-mortem interval) determinations during soft tissue decomp. Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 9:31 AM
To: Vincent, Michael
Subject:
Mike, sorry to bother you again, but had some additional (although odd) questions:
Does the family own a boat or have access to one? If so, has that been searched?
Has the Lake Fairview area been searched? Any connection to that Lake and where they live, friends, etc?
Im still working hard trying to get that report out to you. Hopefully today again sorry for the delay. Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 3:28 PM
To: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Cc: Yuri.Melich@ocfl.net
Subject: RE:
Arpad,
Sorry it took so long to get to you. The family does not have access to, or own a boat. There are several small, medium, and large retention ponds within the immediate area of the family home. As far as I know Lake Fairview area was not search. I am curious to know what zeroed you in on that area.
ASL/CSI Michael J. Vincent
OCSO/Forensics Unit
-----Original Message-----
From: Vass, Arpad Alexander
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 3:56 PM
To: Vincent, Michael (OCSO)
Subject: RE:
Mike, just a hunch really. I dont really know where their house is or where the car was found in relation to their home or the Lake, or what direction it was pointing when it ran out of gas, or where her friends live, etc, etc, but looking at the Orlando area by Google Earth satellite imagery, that Lake seems the deepest with nice secluded access points and is large enough so that if you go out 700ish feet from shore nobody can see what your doing. Also the vegetation on the NNW area of that Lake seems to be of what I would expect would produce the pinene and limonene we detected in the trunk (although its tough to tell by computer and it might be all over the place). If she really is in a body of water, she would have to be either weighed down or in a container to keep from floating via bloat. Might be an easy search if you use side-scanning sonar (but dont know how deep the Lake is). The deeper, colder water there (also a hunch) might help prevent that from happening. Again hard to tell by satellite, but some of the remote parking garages appear to have cameras on their roofs also dont know if that helps any. Anyway Ill still waiting for some results better get back to work. Thanks for listening to my ravings. Arpad
Arpad A. Vass, Ph.D.