Orange County Deputy Jason Forgey first explained how dogs are trained to detect human decomposition, and then what happened when his K-9, Gerus, got involved in the Anthony case.
Defense attorney Jose Baez tried to block jurors from seeing certain evidence about Forgey and Gerus, but Orange-Osceola Chief Judge Belvin Perry allowed the state to admit the items, saying that the jury has to decide if police dogs are reliable.
Forgey told jurors that on July 17, 2008 — two days after Caylee’s grandmother reported her missing — Gerus alerted to the trunk of the car after it was taken to the Sheriff’s Office.
The deputy also noted that the smell of death, which he is familiar with, was obvious from Anthony’s car.
“I smelled it. Clear as day,” he said.
Forgey also said Gerus alerted once to a spot near Caylee’s playhouse in her family’s backyard, but after investigators scraped the ground and the dog was sent out to the location a second time, he did not alert.
FBI examiner testifies about chloroform
Prosecutors also called Dr. Michael Rickenbach, a forensic chemist examiner with the FBI, who told jurors he was surprised that residue of chloroform was detected on fabric from a spare tire cover taken from the trunk.
Rickenbach also said a chemical consistent with chloroform was found on fabric from the left and right sides of the trunk liner.
Chloroform can be deadly if inhaled, and investigators said someone at the Anthony’s home searched the Internet for the term on the family computer.
Rickenbach said chloroform is a volatile substance that doesn’t stay around long. He told prosecutor Jeff Ashton he would have expected the chloroform to dissipate by the time the fabric was tested.
“I was surprised to even get any results for chloroform,” he said.
Rickenbach also told Ashton he detected an odor when he opened the can containing the fabric from the spare tire cover.
Vass and fellow scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee found that while not conclusive, nearly all the compounds present in early human decomposition were detected in the trunk of her vehicle.
WHAT IS CHLOROFORM?
http://mmr.org/IRP/genprog/riskinfo/chlorofr.htm
Chloroform, also called trichloromethane, is a colorless liquid with a pleasant odor and a slight, sweet taste. It dissolves easily in water. Chloroform is both a synthetic and naturally-occurring compound, although sources from humans, such as septic systems and other water treatment processes involving chlorination, are responsible for most of the chloroform in the environment. Chloroform enters the air and water from some industrial processes, leaking containers, and waste disposal. It also is a byproduct of the chlorination of drinking water, municipal and industrial wastewater, and swimming pool and spa water. Chloroform may also enter the environment via the chemical breakdown of chlorinated compounds. The Anthoney’s had a pool right? Throw a wet bathing suit and towel in the trunk and……? Or stop off at the store and pick up pool chemicals,,some spills and...?
>> The state identified the wrong can in court Monday for key witness Dr. Arpad Vass. As a result, Ashton on Tuesday called Vass to the stand and showed him the actual can.<<
Yes, for certain it was that can. Wait, no, it was the other can for sure. LOL