What is gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)?
Q: What is gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)?
A: Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is a technique that combines gas-liquid chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS) to identify different substances within a test sample.
Q: What are some uses of GC-MS?
A: GC-MS has many uses, including drug detection, fire investigation, environmental analysis, and explosives investigation. It can also be used to identify unknown samples.
Q: Can GC-MS be used in airport security?
A: Yes, GC-MS can be used in airport security to detect substances in luggage or on human beings.
Q: What is the benefit of using GC-MS in forensic science?
A: GC-MS is the best way for forensic experts to identify substances because it is a specific test. A specific test positively identifies the actual presence of a particular substance in a given sample.
Q: What is the difference between a specific test and a non-specific test?
A: A specific test positively identifies the actual presence of a particular substance in a given sample, whereas a non-specific test only says that categories of substances are in the sample.
Q: Can GC-MS identify trace elements in deteriorated materials?
A: Yes, GC-MS can identify trace elements in deteriorated materials, even after the sample fell apart so much that other tests cannot work.
Q: What is the risk of using a non-specific test for substance identification?
A: Although a non-specific test could statistically suggest the identity of the substance, this could lead to false positive identification.
