Specific volatile organic compounds, including sulfur compounds like DMDS and DMTS, are reliably produced during decomposition and drive the distinct odor of decaying animal remains.
The claim states that specific volatile organic compounds produce the strong odor of decaying dead animals. Papers 2, 5, and 7 directly discuss the specific volatile organic compounds (such as sulfur compounds, mercaptans, DMDS, and DMTS) emitted by vertebrate cadavers during decomposition that create the characteristic odor profile. The remaining papers discuss VOCs in entirely unrelated contexts such as tea fermentation, wine, chicken manure, or industrial emissions. Therefore, the supporting evidence is solid and consistent, leading to a verdict of SUPPORTED.