GCMS:

gas chromatography and

mass spectrometry
in Forensic Science
Applications
 What does the GCMS
do?
• Separates complex mixtures of
chemicals found in substances found
at crime scene
• Quantifies the amount of each
chemical present in a sample,
compared to a standard part of
database
• Identifies chemicals – determines the
unique chemical composition and
structure-its fingerprint
• Compared to a standard fingerprint
 Gas Chromatography
E A

Gas
D
Chromatograph

B
C
Sample: mixture of
volatile liquids (~1L)

Gas Chromatogram

B
E
C
A
Abundanc
e

0 5 10 15 20
Time (minutes)
 Gas Chromatograph

Injection Port

Detector
Capillary Column

Data System
or Recorder

Carrier Gas Oven

Supply
 Mass Spectrometry
O C H3

H3C C N
N C
CH Mass
C C Spectrometer
O N N
H

Typical sample: isolated

compound (~1 nanogram)

194
Mass Spectrum

67 109
Abundance

55
82

42

94 136 165

40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

Mass (amu)
 Mass Spectrometer

Sample Data
Introduction Output

Inlet Data
System

Ion Mass Ion

Source Analyzer Detector

Vacuum
Pumps
 Electron Impact
Ionization Source
~70 Volts

Electron Collector (Trap)

Positive
Ions
+
Neutral Inlet _
Repeller _
Molecules
+ + + to
+ + + +
Analyzer

e- e- e-
_ Electrons

Filament Extraction
Plate
 Magnetic Sector Mass Analyzer

ion trajectory
in register
ion trajectory
not in register
(too light)

Ion Detector
Source
N ion trajectory
not in register
Electromagnet (too heavy)
 Quadrupole Ion Filter

resonant ion

non-resonant ion

_
Detector
+
+
_

Ion
Source

DC and AC
Voltages