unlike george and cindy i've smelled death only twice in my life, although i think even that is twice more than usual, and these instances were almost 20yrs apart.
the second time it happened i recognized the smell the instant i arrived, memories of the first time i smelled it flooded back to me. i was so sure that i knew what i was smelling that i ventured no further than the door, left the house and immedediately called the police.
i don't believe it's possible to confuse that smell w/ anything else and less possible not to recognise it, especially if it's something you've encountered as often as an ex cop and a nurse would.