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science Vass explained some of the air sample work he conducted for this case, stating that he sent an air pump and special "traps" to Orange County Sheriff's Office officials. Those items were intended to capture air samples from the Pontiac and from the garage bay where it was stored at the Sheriff's Office.His testimony is highly technical. The defense made repeated objections to Vass testifying; however, Chief Judge Belvin Perry approved him as an expert in forensic anthropology and allowed evidence from his work on the case to be admitted.Vass has given testimony about what factors impact the rate of decomposition after death.


Temperature is the most important factor followed by water content, pH and oxygen.Muscle and skin breaks down into so-called "volatile fatty acids," said Vass.Earlier, Vass said that human decomposition does have a distinguishable odor."Animals can have a more musky scent," Vass said. "Domesticated animals like a pig have a much sweeter scent."He is ultimately expected to testify about chemical compounds indicative of human decomposition found in air samples from the trunk of Casey Anthony's car.At one point this morning, he spoke so fast and in such technical terms, the court reporter asked him to slow down."I love my subject," Vass said."I can tell," said Assistant State Attorney Jeff Ashton, who has been questioning him.

The scientist is continuing the forensic and scientific testimony that started Saturday, when other experts discussed a strand of hair recovered from the trunk of the car that showed signs of apparent human decomposition.Karen Korsberg Lowe, the FBI expert, said the hair sample is similar to hair found on a brush belonging to Anthony's daughter, Caylee Marie, but she could not definitively say it belonged to the 2-year-old who died almost three years ago.Other forensic and science experts are expected to testify today.The state is seeking the death penalty against Anthony, who is charged with first-degree murder.Her defense team argues the child accidentally drowned and that Anthony's father, George Anthony, knew that on June 16, 2008. He denies that allegation.

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