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Forensic GCMS: Chemical Analysis Guide

GCMS is a technique that separates, identifies, and quantifies chemicals in a substance. It uses gas chromatography to separate chemicals in a sample based on their volatility and interactions with a column. Mass spectrometry then identifies chemicals based on their unique mass patterns when broken into charged fragments and compared to a database. GCMS is useful for forensic analysis as it can detect and identify minute trace evidence from a crime scene.

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104 views9 pages

Forensic GCMS: Chemical Analysis Guide

GCMS is a technique that separates, identifies, and quantifies chemicals in a substance. It uses gas chromatography to separate chemicals in a sample based on their volatility and interactions with a column. Mass spectrometry then identifies chemicals based on their unique mass patterns when broken into charged fragments and compared to a database. GCMS is useful for forensic analysis as it can detect and identify minute trace evidence from a crime scene.

Uploaded by

Indra Pinoza
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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

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