Books

  1. Schotsmans, E.J.M., Marquez-Grant, N., and Forbes, S.L. (eds.) Taphonomy of Human Remains: Forensic Analysis of the Dead and the Depositional Environment. John Wiley and Sons Ltd., West Sussex, UK. 2017.
  2. Wolstenholme, R., Jickells, S., and Forbes, S.L. (eds.) Analytical Techniques in Forensic Science, Wiley-Blackwell, West Sussex, UK. 2020.

Chapters in Books

  1. Forbes, S.L., Maisonhaute, J-É., and Pecsi, E. The facility for research on experimental and social thanatology in Québec, Canada, in M.H. Sorg, W.D. Haglund and K. Marden (eds.), Forensic Taphonomy: The Postmortem Fate of Human Remains, Second Edition, Taylor & Francis, New York, NY. Projected for publication in 2026.
  2. Forbes, S.L. and Carter, D.O. Processes and Mechanisms of Death and Decomposition of Vertebrate Carrion, in M.E. Benbow, J. K. Tomberlin and A.M. Tarone (eds.) Carrion Ecology, Evolution and Their Applications, 2nd ed., Taylor and Francis, Surrey, UK. 2025. pp. 129-145.
  3. Nienaber, C., Forbes, S.L. Connor, M., Wescott, D.J., Ward, J., Steadman, D.W., and Colman, K.L. Forensic taphonomy, in Houck, M. (ed.), Encylcopedia of Forensic Sciences, Third Edition, Elsevier Academic Press, Oxford, UK. 2023. Volume 2, pp.700-711.
  4. Kuzhiumparambil, U., Kumar, M., Nizio, K.D., Alonso, D., Gorst-Allman, P., Kelly, C., MacLeod, B., Forbes, S.L., and Ralph, P. Metabolic profiling of anthropogenically threatened Australian seagrass Zostera muelleri using one- and two-dimensional gas chromatography, in Beale, D.J., Hillyer, K.E., Warden, A.C., and Jones, O.A.H. (eds.), Applied Environmental Metabolomics: Community Insights and Guidance from the Field. Elsevier Academic Press, Oxford, UK. 2022. Chapter 10, pp.135-151.
  5. Rust, L., Nizio, K.D. and Forbes, S.L. Canine detection of blood evidence, in L.E. DeGreef and C. Schultz (eds.), Canines: The Original Biosensors, Jenny Stanford Publishing, New York, NY, 2022.
  6. Schotsmans, E.M.J, Van de Voorde, W. and Forbes, S.L. TSD estimation in the advanced stages of decomposition, in J. Hayman and M. Oxenham (eds.), Estimation of the Time Since Death: Current Research and Future Trends, Academic Press, London, UK, 2020. pp. 81-108.
  7. Voss, S.C., Forbes, S.L., and Dadour, I.R. The Soil Environment and Forensic Entomology, in J. Byrd and J. Tomberlin (eds.), Forensic Entomology: The Utility of Arthropods in Legal Investigations, 3rd ed., Taylor & Francis, New York, NY. 2020. pp. 269-286.
  8. Forbes, S.L. Taphonomy in Bioarchaeology and Human Osteology, in C. Smith and J. Smith (eds.), Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology, 2nd, Springer, New York, NY. Published online 13 February 2018. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51726-1.
  9. Forbes, S.L. and Ueland, M. Time Since Death in Bioarchaeology and Human Osteology, in C. Smith and J. Smith (eds.), Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology, 2nd, Springer, New York, NY. Published online 13 February 2018. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51726-1.
  10. Forbes, S.L., Perrault, K.A. and Comstock, J.L. Microscopic Postmortem Changes: The Chemistry of Decomposition, in E.J.M. Schotsmans, N. Marquez-Grant and S.L. Forbes (eds.) Taphonomy of Human Remains: Forensic Analysis of the Dead and the Depositional Environment. John Wiley and Sons Ltd., West Sussex, UK. 2017. pp. 26-38.
  11. Forbes, S.L. and Nugent, K. Dating of Anthropological Skeletal Remains of Forensic Interest, in S. Blau and D. Ubelaker (eds.), Handbook of Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology, Second Edition, Taylor and Francis, New York, NY, 2016. pp. 213-225.
  12. Blau, S. and Forbes, S.L. Anthropology: Taphonomy in the Forensic Context, in J. Payne-James and R.W. Byard (eds.) Encyclopaedia of Forensic and Legal Medicine (2nd ed.). Elsevier Academic Press, Oxford, UK, 2016. pp. 227-235.
  13. Forbes, S.L. and Carter, D.O. Processes and Mechanisms of Death and Decomposition of Vertebrate Carrion, in M.E. Benbow, J. K. Tomberlin and A.M. Tarone (eds.) Carrion Ecology, Evolution and Their Applications, Taylor and Francis, Surrey, UK, 2015. pp. 13-30.
  14. Forbes, S.L. Taphonomy in Bioarchaeology and Human Osteology, in C. Smith and J. Smith (eds.), Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology, Springer, New York, NY, 2014. pp. 7219-7225.
  15. Forbes, S.L. Time Since Death in Bioarchaeology and Human Osteology, in C. Smith and J. Smith (eds.), Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology, Springer, New York, NY, 2014, pp. 7308-7312.
  16. Carter, D.O., Forbes, S.L. and Tibbett, M. Soil Microbial Ecology as Forensic Taphonomy, in C.H. Wecht (ed.), Forensic Sciences, Volume 1, Matthew Bender, San Francisco, CA. 2009, pp. 23B.01-23B.100.
  17. Forbes, S.L. and Dadour, I.R. The Soil Environment and Forensic Entomology, in J.H. Byrd and J.L. Castner (eds.), Forensic Entomology: The Utility of Arthropods in Legal Investigations, 2nd Edition, Taylor and Francis, Boca Raton, FL, 2009, pp. 409-428.
  18. Stokes, K.L., Forbes, S.L., Benninger, L.A., Carter, D.O. and Tibbett, M. Decomposition Studies using Animal Models in Contrasting Environments: Evidence from Temporal Changes in Soil Chemistry and Microbial Activity, in K. Ritz, L. Dawson, and D. Miller (eds.), Criminal and Environmental Soil Forensics, Springer, NY. 2009, pp. 357-378.
  19. Forbes, S.L. & Nugent, K. Dating of Anthropological Skeletal Remains of Forensic Interest, in S. Blau and D. Ubelaker (eds.), Handbook of Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology: World Archaeological Congress Research Handbooks in Archaeology, Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek, CA. 2009, pp. 164-173.
  20. Forbes, S.L. Decomposition Chemistry in a Burial Environment, in M. Tibbett and D.O. Carter (eds.), Soil Analysis in Forensic Taphonomy: Chemical and Biological Effects of Buried Human Remains, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. 2008, pp. 203-224.
  21. Forbes, S.L. Potential Determinants of Postmortem and Postburial Interval of Buried Remains, in M. Tibbett and D.O. Carter (eds.), Soil Analysis in Forensic Taphonomy: Chemical and Biological Effects of Buried Human Remains, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. 2008, pp. 225-246.
  22. Forbes, S.L. Forensic Chemistry: Applications to Decomposition and Preservation, in M. Oxenham (ed.), Forensic Approaches to Death, Disaster and Abuse, Australian Academic Press, QLD, 2008, pp. 233-242.
  1. Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

  1. Ho, J., Stock, N.L., Mangal, V., Forbes, S.L., and Stotesbury, T.E. A holistic approach to understanding biochemical degradation of human tissues using high resolution MALDI MS. Analyst. 150: 3825-3837, 2025.
  2. Patel, D., Burr, W.S., Daoust, B., and Forbes, S.L. Identifying the transition from ante-mortem to post-mortem odor in cadavers in an outdoor environment. Forensic Science International: Synergy. 11: 100616, 2025.
  3. Bessa, A.S., Ramage, S., Ferreira, M.T., Dinis-Oliveira, R.J, Forbes, S.L. and Dawson, L. Exploring human hair degradation: A preliminary study for estimating time-since-death. International Journal of Legal Medicine. 139: 1913-1923, 2025.
  4. Beaulieu, S.R., Ribereau-Gayon, A., Deveze, T., Forbes, S.L., and Germain, H. Molecular identification of fungi associated with advanced decomposition at a human taphonomy facility in Canada. Forensic Science International. 370: 112451, 2025.
  5. Tsontakis, M., Patel, D., Ouimet, F., Samson, C., Burr, W.S., and Forbes, S.L. The comparison of volatile organic compound profiles between human and non-human bones and its application to human remains detection dogs. Forensic Chemistry. 42: 100642, 2025.
  6. Silva-Bessa, A., Madureira-Carvalho, A., Azevedo, R.M.S., Dawson, L., Dinis-Oliveira, R.J., Forbes, S.L. and Ferreira, M.T. A soil-based approach on human taphonomy from five Portuguese public cemeteries. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences. 57: 102-121, 2025.
  7. Ouimet, F., Patel, D., Tsontakis, M., Samson, C., and Forbes, S.L. Establishing the volatile organic compound profile and detection capabilities of human remain detection dogs to human bones. Forensic Science International: Synergy. 10: 100566, 2025.

  1. Pecsi, E.L., Forbes, S.L., Guillemette, F. Organic matter composition as a driver of soil bacterial responses to pig carcass decomposition in a Canadian continental climate. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences. 129: e2024JG008355, 2024.
  2. Silva-Bessa, A., Azevedo, R., Almeida, A., Dawson, L., Forbes, S.L., Ferreira, M.T., Dinis-Oliveira, R.J. Chemical elemental composition and human taphonomy: A comparative analysis between skeletonised and preserved individuals from six Portuguese public cemeteries. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology. 86: 127551, 2024.
  3. Cristino, K., Doro, K.O., Armstrong, A., Forbes, S.L., Ribéreau-Gayon, A., and Bank, C-G. Electrical resistivity imaging of simulated graves with buried human and pig remains. Forensic Science International. 364: 112248, 2024.
  4. Sunnucks, E.J., Thurn, B., Brown, A.O., Zhang, W., Liu, T., Forbes, S.L., Su, S., Ueland, M. Performance of a novel electronic nose for the detection of volatile organic compounds relating to starvation or human decomposition post-mass disaster. Sensors. 24: 5918, 2024.
  5. Forbes, S.L., Huculak, M., Watson, C.J. Taphonomic impact of vertebrate scavengers on degradation and dispersal of remains, southeastern British Columbia. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 69: 1985-1995, 2024.
  6. Armstrong, A., Doro, K.O., Kristino, K., Ribéreau-Gayon, A., Forbes, S.L., Wadsworth, W.T.D., and Bank, C-G. Comparison of GPR signals over simulated clandestine graves with domestic pigs (Sus Scrofa domesticus) and human remains. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 69: 2054-2068, 2024.
  7. Thurn, B., Deo, A., Patel, D., Sunnucks, E., Forbes, S.L., Stuart, B.H., Su. S., Ueland, M. Ante- and post-mortem human volatiles for disaster search and rescue. Forensic Chemistry. 40: 100596, 2024.
  8. Dargan, R., Patel, D., Burr, W.S., Daoust, B., Samson, C., and Forbes, S.L. Using ethically sourced training aids for human remains detection dog training. Forensic Chemistry. 40: 100589, 2024.
  9. Liu, T., Zhang, W., Wang, L., Ueland, M., Forbes, S.L., Zheng, W.X. and Su, S.W. Numerical differentiation from noisy signals: A Kernel regularization method to improve transient-state features for the electronic nose. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics: Systems. 54: 3497-3511, 2024.
  10. Forbes, S.L., Kjorlien, Y., and Watson, C.J. The taphonomic impact of scavenger guilds in peri-urban and rural regions of central and southern Alberta. Part I – Identification of forensically-relevant vertebrate scavengers. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 69: 415-429, 2024.
  11. Ho, J., Patel, D., Burr, W., Samson, C., Forbes, S.L. Identifying VOCs from human remains detectable in water using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography. Forensic Chemistry. 38: 100561, 2024.
  12. Connor, M., Belcher, W.R., Dabbs, G., Falsetti, A., Forbes, S.L., Gocha, T.P., Harris, J., Hughes-Stamm, S., Listii, G., Mavroudas, S., Polonitza, A., Reck, S.I., Steadman, D., Ward, J., Wescott, D.J., Yim, A-D., and Zedjlikn, Z. From a small plot in Knoxville to a worldwide footprint: An overview of human decomposition facilities. Forensic Anthropology. 7: 267-281, 2024.

  1. Silva-Bessa, A., Madureira-Carvalho, A., Azevedo, R.M.S., Dawson, L., Dinis-Oliveira, R.J., Forbes, S.L. and Ferreira, M.T. A soil-based approach on human taphonomy from five Portuguese public cemeteries. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences. Published online 13 Dec 2023. DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2023.2289378. Patel, D., Dargan, R., Burr, W.S., Daoust, B., and Forbes, S.L. Identifying the early post-mortem VOC profile from cadavers in a morgue environment using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography. Separations. 10: 566, 2023.
  2. Maisonhaute, J-É. and Forbes, S.L. Decomposition and insect succession on human cadavers in a humid, continental (Dfb) climate (Quebec, Canada). International Journal of Legal Medicine. 137: 493-509, 2023.
  3. Ribereau-Gayon, A., Carter, D.O. and Forbes, S.L. Developing a new scoring method to evaluate human decomposition in a humid, continental (Dfb) climate in Quebec. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 68: 536-548, 2023.
  4. Silva-Bessa, A., Forbes, S.L., Ferreira, M.T., and Dinis-Oliveira, R.J. Toxicological analysis of drugs in human mummified bodies and proposed guidelines. Current Drug Research Reviews. 15: 67-72, 2023.

  1. Forbes, S.L., Samson, C., and Watson, C.J. Seasonal impact of scavenger guilds as taphonomic agents in central and northern Ontario, Canada. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 67: 2203-2217, 2022.
  2. Liu, T., Zhang, W., Li, J., Ueland, M., Forbes, S.L., Zheng, W.X. and Su, S. A multiscale wavelet kernel regularization-based feature extraction method for electronic nose. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics. 52: 7078-7089, 2022.
  3. Silva-Bessa, A., Madureira-Carvalho, A., Dawson, L., Ferreira, M.T., Dinis-Oliveira, R.J. and Forbes, S.L. The importance of soil on human taphonomy and management of Portuguese public cemeteries. Forensic Sciences. 2: 635-649, 2022.
  4. Ashbridge, S.I., Randolph-Quinney, P.S., Janaway, R.C., Forbes, S.L. and Ivshina, O. Environmental conditions and bodily decomposition: Implications for long term management of war fatalities and the identification of the dead during the ongoing Ukrainian conflict. Forensic Science International: Synergy. 5:100284, 2022.
  5. Dargan, R., Samson, C., Burr, W.S., Daoust, B. and Forbes, S.L. Validating the use of amputated limbs used as cadaver detection dog training aids. Frontiers in Analytical Science. 2: 934639, 2022.
  6. Zhang, W., Liu, T., Brown, A., Ueland, M., Forbes, S.L., and Su, S.W. The use of electronic nose for the classification of blended and single malt Scotch whiskey. IEEE Sensors Journal. 22: 7015-7021, 2022.
  7. Séguin, K., Durand-Guévin, A., Lavallée, C., Ouimet, F., Maisonhaute, J-É., Watson, C.J. and Forbes, S.L. The taphonomic impact of scavenger guilds in southern Quebec during summer and fall in two distinct habitats. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 67: 460-470, 2022.

  1. Ueland, M., Harris, S. and Forbes, S.L. Detecting volatile organic compounds to locate human remains in a simulated collapsed building. Forensic Science International. 323: 110781, 2021.
  2. Skopyk, A.D., Forbes, S.L. and LeBlanc, H.N. Recognizing the inherent variability in Dipteran colonization and decomposition rates of human donors in Sydney, Australia. Journal of Clinical and Health Sciences. 6: 112-119, 2021.
  3. Ueland, M., Collins, S., Maestrini, L., Forbes, S.L., Luong, S. Fresh vs. frozen human decomposition – a preliminary investigation of lipid degradation products as biomarkers of post-mortem interval. Forensic Chemistry. 24: 100335, 2021.
  4. Maisonhaute, J-É. and Forbes, S.L. Overwintering behaviour of the skipper fly (Diptera: Piophilidae) of forensic importance in Québec (Canada). The Canadian Entomologist. 153:172-180, 2021.
  5. Dargan, R., and Forbes, S.L. Cadaver-detection dogs: A review of their capabilities and the volatile organic compound profile of their associated training aids. WIREs Forensic Science. 3:e1409, 2021.
  6. Watson, C.J., Ueland, M., Schotsmans, E.M.J., Sterenberg, J., Forbes, S.L., and Blau, S. Detecting grave sites from surface anomalies: A longitudinal study in an Australian woodland. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 66: 479-490, 2021.
  7. Maisonhaute, J-É. and Forbes, S.L. Decomposition process and arthropod succession on pig carcasses in Québec (Canada). Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal. 54: 1-26, 2021.

  1. Byard, R.W., Simpson, E. and Forbes, S.L. Arid climate adipocere – The importance of microenvironment. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 65: 327-329, 2020.
  2. Collins, M., Gel, M., Lennard, C., Spikmans, V., Forbes, S.L., and Anderson, A. Application of a microfluidic gas-to-liquid interface for extraction of target amphetamines and precursors from air samples. Micromachines. 11: 315-327, 2020.
  3. Deo, A., Forbes, S.L., Stuart, B.H. and Ueland, M. Profiling the seasonal variability of decomposition odour from human remains in a temperature Australian environment. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences. 52: 654-664, 2020.
  4. Iqbal, M.A., Ueland, M. and Forbes, S.L. Recent advances in the estimation of postmortem interval in forensic taphonomy. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences. 52: 107-123, 2020.
  5. Liu, T., Zhang, W., Yuwono, M., Zhang, M., Ueland, M., Forbes, S.L., and Su, S.W. A data-driven meat freshness monitoring and evaluation method using rapid centroid estimation and hidden Markov models. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical. 311: 127868, 2020.
  6. Pecsi, E.L., Crispino, F., Bronchti, G., and Forbes, S.L. Perspectives on the Establishment of a Canadian Human Taphonomic Facility: The Experience of REST[ES]. Forensic Science International: Synergy. 2: 287-292, 2020.
  7. Ueland, M., Brown, A., Bartos, C., Frankham, G.N., Johnson, R.N., and Forbes, S.L. Profiling volatilomes: a novel forensic method for identification of confiscated illegal wildlife items. Separations. 7: 5-17, 2020.
  8. Varlet, V., Joye, C., Forbes, S.L., Grabherr, S. Revolution in death sciences: body farms and taphonomics blooming. A review investigating the advantages, ethical and legal aspects in a Swiss context. International Journal of Legal Medicine. 134: 1875-1895, 2020.
  9. Zhang, W., Liu, T., Ye, L., Ueland, M., Forbes, S.L., Wang, R.X. and Su, S.W. Design of an efficient electronic nose system for odour analysis and assessment. Measurement. 165: 108089, 2020.

  1. Leung, D., Forbes, S.L. and Maynard, P. Volatile organic compound analysis of ignitable liquid detection canine distractor odours. Forensic Science International. 303: 109953, 2019.
  2. Hall, F., Forbes, S.L., Rowbotham, S., and Blau, S. Using PMCT of individuals of known age to test the Suchey-Brooks method of ageing in Victoria, Australia. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 64: 1782-1787, 2019.
  3. Liu, T., Zhang, W., Ye, L., Ueland, M., Forbes, S.L. and Su, S.W. A novel multi-odour identification by electronic nose using non-parametric modelling-based feature extraction and time-series classification. Sensors and Actuators: B. Chemical. 298: 126690, 2019.
  4. Taranto, V., Ueland, M., Forbes, S.L. and Blanes, L. The analysis of nitrate explosive vapour samples using lab-on-a-chip instrumentation. Journal of Chromatography A. 1602: 467-473, 2019.
  5. Buis, R.C., Rust, L., Nizio, K.D., Rai, T., Stuart, B.H., and Forbes, S.L. Investigating the sensitivity of cadaver-detection dogs to aged, diluted decomposition fluid. Journal of Forensic Identification. 69: 367-377, 2019.
  6. Knobel, Z., Ueland, M., Nizio, K.D., Patel, D. and Forbes, S.L. A comparison of human and pig decomposition rates and odour profiles in an Australian environment. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences. 51: 557-572, 2019.
  7. Ueland, M., Forbes, S.L. and Stuart, B.H. Understanding clothed buried remains: the analysis of decomposition fluids and their influence on clothing in model burial environments. Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology. 15: 3-12, 2019.
  8. Huston, W.M., Cranfield, C., Forbes, S.L. and Leigh, A. A sponsorship action plan for increasing diversity in STEMM. Ecology and Evolution. 9: 2340-2345, 2019.
  9. Zhang, W., Liu, T., Ye, L., Ueland, M., Forbes, S.L. and Su, S. A novel data pre-processing method for odour detection and identification system. Sensors and Actuators: A. Physical. 287: 113-120, 2019.

  1. Ueland, M., Forbes, S.L. and Stuart, B.H. Seasonal variation of fatty acid profiles from textiles associated with decomposing pig remains in a temperate Australian environment. Forensic Chemistry. 11: 120-127, 2018.
  2. Nizio, K.D. and Forbes, S.L. Developing a method for the collection and analysis of burnt remains for the detection and identification of ignitable liquid residues using body bags, dynamic headspace sampling and TD-GC×GC-TOFMS. 5: 46-58, 2018.
  3. Marhoff-Beard, S.J., Forbes, S.L. and Green, H. The validation of ‘universal’ PMI methods for the estimation of time since death in temperate Australian climates. Forensic Science International. 291: 158-166, 2018.
  4. Hayes, J.E., McGreevy, P.P., Forbes, S.L., Laing, G. and Stuetz, R.M. Critical review of dog detection and the influences of physiology, training and analytical methodologies. Talanta. 185: 499-512, 2018.
  5. Rust, L., Nizio, K.D., Wand, M.P. and Forbes, S.L. Investigating the detection limits of scent-detection dogs to residual blood odour on clothing. Forensic Chemistry. 9: 62-75, 2018.
  6. Liu, T., Zhang, W., McLean, P., Ueland, M., Forbes, S.L. and Su, S. Electronic-nose based odor classification using genetic algorithms and fuzzy support vector machines. International Journal of Fuzzy Systems. 20: 1309-1320, 2018.
  7. Luong, S, Forbes, S.L., Wallman, J.F. and Roberts, R.G. Monitoring the extent of vertical and lateral movement of human decomposition products through sediment using cholesterol as a biomarker. Forensic Science International. 285: 93-104, 2018.
  8. Chilcote, B., Rust, L., Nizio, K.D. and Forbes, S.L. Profiling the scent of weathered training aids for blood-detection dogs. Science and Justice. 58: 98-108, 2018.

  1. Forbes, S.L. Body farms. Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology. 13: 477-479, 2017.
  2. Ueland, M., Howes, J., Forbes, S.L. and Stuart, B.H. Degradation patterns of natural and synthetic textiles on a soil surface during summer and winter seasons studied using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy. 185: 69-76, 2017.
  3. Di Maggio, R.M., Donnelly, L.J., Al Naimi K.S., Barone, P.M., Salvador, F.A.D.S., Dawson, L., Dixon, R., Fitzpatrick, R., Gradusova, O., Nesterina, E., Peleneva, M., Ushacova, O., Gallego, C.M.M., Pirrie, D., Ruffell, A., McKinley, J., Sagripanti, G., Villalba, D., Schneck, B., Sugita, R., Wach, G., Silva, R., and Forbes, S.L. Global developments in forensic geology. 40:120-131, 2017.
  4. Verheggen, F., Perrault, K.A., Caparros Megido, R., Dubois, L.M., Francis, F., Haubruge, E., Forbes, S.L., Focant, J-F., and Stefanuto, P-H. The odour of death: An overview of current knowledge on characterization and applications. BioScience. 67: 600-613, 2017.
  5. Nizio, K.D., Ueland, M., Stuart, B.H. and Forbes, S.L. The analysis of textiles associated with decomposing remains as a natural training aid for cadaver-detection dogs. Forensic Chemistry. 5: 33-45, 2017.
  6. Iqbal, M.A., Nizio, K.D., Ueland, M. and Forbes, S.L. Forensic decomposition odour profiling: A review of experimental designs and analytical techniques. Trends in Analytical Chemistry. 91: 112-124, 2017.
  7. O’Brien, R.C., Appleton, A.J., and Forbes, S.L. Comparison of taphonomic effects due to the necrophagic activity of geographically disparate scavenging guilds. Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal. 50: 42-53, 2017.

  1. Nizio, K.D., Cochran, J.W., and Forbes, S.L. Achieving a near-theoretical maximum in peak capacity gain for the forensic analysis of ignitable liquids using GC×GC-TOFMS. Separations. 3: e26-43, 2016.
  2. Rust, L., Nizio, K.D., and Forbes, S.L. The influence of ageing and surface-type on the odour profile of blood-detection dog training aids. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. 408: 6349-6360, 2016.
  3. Ueland, M. Ewart, K. Troobnikoff, A.N., Frankham, G., Johnson, R.N., Forbes, S.L. A rapid chemical odour profiling method for the identification of rhinoceros horns. Forensic Science International. 266: e99-102, 2016.
  4. Nizio, K.D., Perrault, K.A., Troobnikoff, A., Ueland, M., Shoma, S., Iredell, J., Middleton, P., and Forbes, S.L. In vitro volatile organic compound profiling using GC×GC-TOFMS to differentiate bacteria associated with lung infections: A proof-of-concept study. Journal of Breath Research 10: e026008, 2016.
  5. Armstrong, P., Nizio, K.D., Perrault, K.A., and Forbes, S.L. Establishing the volatile profile of pig carcasses as analogues for human decomposition during the early postmortem period. Heliyon e00070, 2016.
  6. Wenholz, D., Luong, S., Philp, M., Forbes, S.L., Stuart, B.H., Drummer, O.H., and Fu, S. A study to model the postmortem stability of 4-MMC, MDMA, and BZP in putrefying remains. Forensic Science International. 265: 54-60, 2016.
  7. Perrault, K.A. and Forbes, S.L. Elemental analysis of soil and vegetation surrounding decomposing human analogues. Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal. 49: 138-151, 2016.
  8. Forbes, S.L., Troobnikoff, A.N., Ueland, M., Nizio, K.D. and Perrault, K. Profiling the decomposition odour at the grave surface before and after probing. Forensic Science International. 259: 193-199, 2016.
  9. Marhoff, S.J., Fahey, P., Forbes, S.L., and Green, H. Estimating post-mortem interval using accumulated degree days and a degree of decomposition index in Australia: a validation study. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences. 48: 24-36, 2016.
  10. Breton, H., Kirkwood, A.E., Carter, D.O. and Forbes, S.L. The impact of carrion decomposition of the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles of soil microbial communities in southern Canada. Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal. 49: 1-18, 2016.

  1. Chun, L.P., Miguel, M., Jenkins, E. M., Forbes, S.L., and Carter, D.O. An initial investigation into the ecology of culturable aerobic postmortem bacteria. Science and Justice. 55: 394-401, 2015.
  2. Ueland, M., Nizio, K.D., Forbes, S.L., and Stuart, B.H. The interactive effect of the degradation of cotton clothing and decomposition fluid production associated with decaying remains. Forensic Science International. 255:56-63, 2015.
  3. Buis, R.C., Rust, L., Nizio, K.D., Rai, T., Stuart, B.H., and Forbes, S.L. Investigating the sensitivity of cadaver-detection dogs to decomposition fluid. Journal of Forensic Identification. 65: 985-997, 2015.
  4. Perrault, K.A., Stefanuto, P-H., Stuart, B.H., Rai, T., Focant, J-F., and Forbes, S.L. Detection of decomposition volatile organic compounds in soil following removal of remains from a surface deposition site. Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology. 11: 376-387, 2015.
  5. Perrault, K.A., Nizio, K.D., and Forbes, S.L. A comparison of one-dimensional and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography for decomposition odour profiling using inter-year replicate field trials. Chromatographia. 78: 1057-1070, 2015.
  6. Stefanuto, P-H., Perrault, K.A., Stadler, S., Pesesse, R., LeBlanc, H.N., Forbes, S.L., and Focant, J-F.GC×GC-TOFMS and supervised multivariate approaches to study human cadaveric decomposition olfactive signatures. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. 407:4767-4778, 2015.
  7. Stefanuto, P-H., Perrault, K.A., Focant, J-F., and Forbes, S.L. Fast chromatographic method for explosive profiling. Chromatography. 2:213-224, 2015.
  8. Stefanuto, P.H., Perrault, K.A., Lloyd, R.M., Stuart, B.H., Rai, T., Forbes, S.L., and Focant, J-F. Exploring new dimensions in cadaveric decomposition odour analysis. Analytical Methods. 7: 2287-2294, 2015.
  9. Perrault, K.A., Rai, T., Stuart, B.H., and Forbes, S.L. Seasonal comparison of carrion volatiles in decomposition soil using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography – time of flight mass spectrometry. Analytical Methods. 7: 690-698, 2015.
  10. Perrault, K.A., Stefanuto, P-H., Stuart, B.H., Rai, T., Focant, J-F., and Forbes, S.L. Reducing variation in decomposition odour profiling using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography. Journal of Separation Science. 38: 73-80, 2015.
  11. Comstock, J.L., Desaulniers, J-P., LeBlanc, H.N., and Forbes, S.L. New decomposition stages to describe scenarios involving the partial and complete exclusion of insects. Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal. 48: 1-19, 2015.
  12. Stadler, S., Desaulniers, J-P., Forbes, S.L. Inter-year repeatability study of volatile organic compounds from surface decomposition of human analogues. International Journal of Legal Medicine. 129: 641-650, 2015.

  1. Forbes, S.L., Perrault, K.A., Stefanuto, P-H., Nizio, K.D., and Focant, J-F. Comparison of the decomposition VOC profile during winter and summer in a moist, mid-latitude (Cfb) climate. PLoS One. 9: e113681, 2014.
  2. Forbes, S.L., Rust, L., Trebilcock, K., Perrault, K.A., McGrath, L. Effect of age and storage conditions on the volatile organic compound profile of blood. Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology. 10: 570-582, 2014.
  3. Stefanuto, P-H., Perrault, K., Stadler, S., Pesesse, R., Brokl, M., Forbes, S.L., Focant, J-F. Reading cadaveric decomposition chemistry with a new pair of glasses. Chem Plus Chem Communications. 79:786-789, 2014.
  4. Perrault, K.A., Stuart B.H., and Forbes, S.L. A longitudinal study of decomposition odour in soil using sorbent tubes and solid phase microextraction. Chromatography. 1:120-140, 2014.
  5. Buis, R.C., McLeish, S., Devine, R., O’Brien, R.C., and Forbes, S.L. Recovering fingerprints from skin: The viability of iodine silver plate transfer and α-napthaflavone under environmental and taphonomic conditions. Identification Canada. 37: 4-28, 2014.
  6. Forbes, S.L. and Perrault, K.A. Decomposition odour profiling in the air and soil surrounding vertebrate carrion. PLoS ONE. 9: e95107, 2014.
  7. Ruffell, A., Pringle, J.K., and Forbes, S.L. Search protocols for hidden forensic objects beneath floors and within walls. Forensic Science International. 237: 137-145, 2014.
  8. Ueland, M., Breton, H., and Forbes, S.L. Bacterial populations associated with early stage adipocere formation in lacustrine waters. International Journal of Legal Medicine.128: 379-387, 2014.

  1. Pahor, K., Olson, G., and Forbes, S.L. Postmortem detection of gasoline residues in lung tissue and heart blood of fire victims. International Journal of Legal Medicine. 127: 923-930, 2013.
  2. von der Lühe, B., Dawson, L.A., Mayes, R.W., Forbes, S.L., Fiedler, S. Investigation of sterols as potential biomarkers for the detection of pig ( s. domesticus) decomposition fluid in soils. Forensic Science International. 230: 68-73, 2013.
  3. Larizza, M., and Forbes, S.L. Detection of fatty acids in the lateral extent of the cadaver decomposition island. Environmental and Criminal Geoforensics. SP384: 209-219, 2013.
  4. Lowe, A.C., Beresford, D.V., Carter, D.O., Gaspari, F., O’Brien, R.C., Stuart, B.H., and Forbes, S.L. The effect of soil texture on the degradation of textiles associated with buried bodies. Forensic Science International. 231: 331-339, 2013.
  5. Focant, J-F., Stefanuto, P-H., Brasseur, C., Dekeirsschieter, J., Haubruge, E., Schotsmans, E., Wilson, A., Stadler, S., and Forbes, S.L. Forensic cadaveric decomposition profiling by GCxGC-TOFMS analysis of VOCs. Chemical Bulletin of Kazakh National University. 4: 177-186, 2013.
  6. Lowe, A.C., Beresford, D.V., Carter, D.O., Gaspari, F., O’Brien, R.C., and Forbes, S.L. Ground penetrating radar use in three contrasting soil textures in Southern Ontario. Environmental and Criminal Geoforensics. SP384: 221-228, 2013.
  7. Stokes, K.L., Forbes, S.L., and Tibbett, M. Human versus animal: contrasting decomposition dynamics of mammalian analogues in experimental taphonomy. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 58: 583-591, 2013.
  8. Forbes, S.L., Hulsman, S., and Dolderman, M. Locating buried canine remains using ground penetrating radar. Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal. 46: 51-58, 2013.
  9. Stadler, S., Stefanuto, P.H., Brokl, M., Forbes, S.L., and Focant, J.F. Characterization of volatile organic compounds from human analogue decomposition using thermal desorption followed by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography – time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Analytical Chemistry.85: 998-1005, 2013.

  1. Stadler, S., Stefanuto, P.H., Byer, J.D., Brokal, M., Forbes, S.L., and Focant, J.F. Analysis of synthetic canine training aids by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry.Journal of Chromatography A. 1255: 202-206, 2012.

  1. Forbes, S.L., Wilson, M.E.A., and Stuart, B.H. Examination of adipocere formation in a cold water environment. International Journal of Legal Medicine. 125: 643-650, 2011.
  2. Cassar, J., Stuart, B.H., Dent, B.B., Notter, S., Forbes, S.L., O’Brien, R.C., and Dadour, I.R. A study of adipocere in soil collected from a field leaching study. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences. 43: 3-11, 2011.

  1. Swann, L.M., Forbes, S.L., and Lewis, S.W. A capillary electrophoresis method for the determination of selected biogenic amines and amino acids in mammalian decomposition fluid. Talanta. 81: 1697-1702, 2010.
  2. O’Brien, R.C., Larcombe, A., Meyer, J., Forbes, S.L., Dadour, I. Patterns and influences on the scavenging behaviour of the Australia Raven (Corvus coronoides) in south-western Western Australia. Sylvia. 46, 133-148, 2010.
  3. Swann, L., Forbes, S.L., and Lewis, S.W. Analytical separations of mammalian decomposition products for forensic science: a review. Analytica Chimica Acta. 682: 9-22, 2010.
  4. Bissonnette, M., Knaap, W., and Forbes, S.L. Steam development of latent fingerprints on thermal paper. Journal of Forensic Identification. 60: 619-638, 2010.
  5. Swann, L., Forbes, S.L., and Lewis, S.W. Observations of the temporal variation in chemical content of decomposition fluid: A preliminary study using pigs as a model system. AustralianJournal of Forensic Sciences. 42: 199-210, 2010.
  6. O’Brien, R.C., Forbes, S.L., Meyer, J., and Dadour, I.R. Forensically significant scavenging guilds in the southwest of Western Australia. Forensic Science International. 198:85-91, 2010.
  7. Comstock, J., Beeton, M., and Forbes, S.L. An investigation of barefoot morphology, friction ridges and their significance in forensic identification. Identification Canada. 33:4-19, 2010.
  8. Swann, L., Chidlow, G.E., Forbes, S.L., and Lewis, S.W. Preliminary studies into the characterization of chemical markers of decomposition for geoforensics. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 55: 308-314, 2010.

  1. Van Belle, L.E., Carter, D.O., and Forbes, S.L. Measurement of ninhydrin-reactive nitrogen influx into gravesoil during aboveground and belowground carcass (Sus scrofa) decomposition. Forensic Science International. 193: 37-41, 2009.
  2. Stokes, K.L., Forbes, S.L. and Tibbett, M. Freezing skeletal muscle tissue does not affect its decomposition in soil; evidence from temporal changes in tissue mass, microbial activity and soil chemistry based on excised samples. Forensic Science International. 183: 6-13, 2009.

  1. Watson, C.J. and Forbes, S.L. An investigation of the vegetation associated with grave sites in southern Ontario. Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal. 41: 199-207, 2008.
  2. Benninger, L.A., Carter, D.O., and Forbes, S.L. The biochemical alteration of soil beneath a decomposing carcass. Forensic Science International. 180: 70-75, 2008.
  3. Onishi, A., Thomas, P.S., Stuart, B.H., Guerbois, J.P. and Forbes, S.L. TG-MS analysis of the thermal decomposition of pig bone for forensic applications. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry. 92: 87-90, 2008.
  4. Voss, S.C., Forbes, S.L., and Dadour, I.R. Decomposition and insect succession on cadavers inside a vehicle environment

  1. O’Brien, R.C., Forbes, S.L., Meyer, J., and Dadour I.R. A preliminary investigation of the scavenging activity on pig carcasses in Western Australia, Forensic Science, Medicine & Pathology, 3: 194-199, 2007.
  2. Onishi, A., Thomas, P.S., Stuart, B.H., Guerbois, J.P. and Forbes, S.L. TG-MS characterization of pig bone in an inert atmosphere. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry. 88: 405-409, 2007.

  1. Stuart, B.H., Craft, L.,Forbes, S.L.,and Dent, B.B. Studies of adipocere using attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy. Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology. 1: 197-202, 2005.
  2. Forbes, S.L., Stuart, B.H., Dent, B.B. The effect of the burial environment on adipocere formation. Forensic Science International. 154:24-34, 2005.
  3. Forbes, S.L., Dent, B.B., Stuart, B.H. The effect of soil type on adipocere formation. Forensic Science International. 154:35-43, 2005.
  4. Forbes, S.L., Stuart, B.H., Dent, B.B. The effect of the method of burial onadipocere formation. Forensic Science International. 154:44-52, 2005.
  5. Forbes, S.L., Stuart, B.H., Dent, B.B., and Fenwick-Mulcahy, S. Characterization of adipocere formation in animal species. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 50:633-640, 2005.

  1. Forbes, S.L. Time since death: a novel approach to dating skeletal remains. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences. 36:67-72, 2004.
  2. Forbes, S.L., Stuart, B.H., Dadour, I., and Dent, B.B. A preliminary investigation of the stages of adipocere formation. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 49:566-574, 2004.
  3. Dent, B.B., Forbes, S.L., Stuart, B.H. Review of human decomposition processes in soil. Environmental Geology. 45:576-585, 2004.

  1. Forbes, S.L., Keegan, J., Stuart, B.H., and Dent, B.B. A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the detection of adipocere in grave soils. European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology. 105:761-768, 2003.

  1. Forbes, S.L., Stuart, B.H., and Dent, B.B. The identification of adipocere in grave soils. Forensic Science International. 127:225-230, 2002.

  1. Stuart, B.H., Forbes, S.L., Dent, B.B., and Hodgson, G. Studies of adipocere using diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy. Vibrational Spectroscopy. 24:233-242, 2000.

Peer-Reviewed Conference Papers

  1. Zhang W., Liu, T., Zhang, M., Zhang, Y., Li, H., Ueland, M., Forbes, S.L., Wang, X.R., Su, S. NOS.E: A new fast response electronic nose health monitoring system. International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. 2018, pp. 4977-4980 DOI: 10.1109/EMBC.2018.8513416.
  2. Stadler, S., Focant, J-F., and Forbes, S.L. Forensic analysis of volatile organic compounds from decomposed remains in a soil environment, in H. Kars and L. van den Eijkel (eds.) Soil in Criminal and Environmental Forensics, Springer, Switzerland. ISSN: 2214-4293. 2016, pp. 297-316.
  3. Breton, H.A., Kirkwood, A.E., Carter, D.O., and Forbes, S.L. Changes in soil microbial activity following cadaver decomposition during spring and summer months in southern Ontario, in H. Kars and L. van den Eijkel (eds.) Soil in Criminal and Environmental Forensics, Springer, Switzerland. ISSN: 2214-4293. 2016, pp. 243-262.
  4. Comstock, J.L., LeBlanc, H.N., and Forbes, S.L. Analysis of decomposition fluid collected from carcasses decomposing in the presence and absence of insects, in H. Kars and L. van den Eijkel (eds.) Soil in Criminal and Environmental Forensics, Springer, Switzerland. ISSN: 2214-4293. 2016, pp. 275-296.

Popular Science Articles (Invited)

  1. Ashbridge, S., Randolph-Quinney, P., Janaway, R., Forbes, S.L., and Ivshina, O. Identifying Ukraine’s war dead. Royal United Services Institute: Commentary on the latest developments in defence, security and international affairs. Published online 29 September 2022. https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/identifying-ukraines-war-dead
  2. Schubert, M. and Forbes, S.L. Life or death research? The Pathologist. pp. 18-31, 2018.
  3. Nizio, K.D. and Forbes, S.L. Preliminary investigation of the influence of fire modification on the odour of decomposition using GC×GC-TOFMS. Chromatography Today. 32-39, 2017.
  4. Rust, L. and Forbes, S.L. For sniffing out crime and missing persons, science backs blood-detection dogs. The Conversation. Published online 18 August 2017. https://theconversation.com/for-sniffing-out-crime-and-missing-persons-science-backs-blood-detection-dogs-82213
  5. Forbes, S.L. Australia launches its first Body Farm: The study of human decomposition. Australian Police Journal. 6-11, April/June edition, 2016. [Re-printed in Police Down Under, official journal of the International Police Association, October 2016].
  6. Forbes, S.L. Chemistry after death – Canines and scent detection. Chemistry in Australia. pp. 22-25, November edition 2012.