Smell Of Death: The Casey Anthony Trial

Casey Anthony “Smell of Death”

In the summer of 2008, Casey Anthony daughter Caylee Anthony was last seen on June 16, 2008. No one knows where she was nor did Casey report that her daughter was missing. Time went by with no sign of Caylee reappearing. Casey’s mother called and reported that her granddaughter was missing and that Casey’s car smelled like a dead body had been in there.

In the Casey Anthony trial, a controversial piece of evidence had been brought up about whether or not the “smell of death” from the trunk of Casey’s car can be linked to and used as evidence in the death of her daughter, Caylee Anthony. The smell that was in the trunk of Casey’s car could have been used as evidence in the trial. Why? Because it would have proven that, her daughter Caylee decomposed body was in the trunk of the car. The smell in the trunk of the car was tested and contained a large amount of chloroform and key compounds of human decomposition. Evidence is evidence but not all evidence is good, but the “smell of death” that was in the trunk could have been used as good evidence to the case. Why? Because they did not have any other good evidence to prove that she killed her daughter, but that one piece of evidence alone could have convicted her of murdering her daughter.

According to Daubert, the “smell of death” evidence would have had to meet the criteria in order for it to be used as reliable evidence. First, the evidence needs to be tested to see if the expert can receive the same result each time, it needs to be done.

(2011, May 17). Casey Anthony trial: Is the ‘smell of death’ evidence? Retrieved June 23, 2017, from https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn20487-casey-anthony-trial-is-the-smell-of-death-evidence/

Banfield, A., & Hopper, J. (2011, May 27). Casey Anthony Trial: Car Trunk Had Maggots and Smell of Death. Retrieved June 23, 2017, from