1st Edition
Forensic Applications of Gas Chromatography
Several areas of forensic science use the technique of gas chromatography, ranging from fire analysis to the investigation of fraudulent food and perfumes. Covering the essentials of this powerful analytical technique, Forensic Applications of Gas Chromatography explains the theory and shows applications of this knowledge to various realms of forensic science.
Topics include:
- A brief introduction to gas chromatography and its use in forensic science
- Various components that make up the gas chromatographic instrumentation
- The theory of the separation process, along with the chemistry underpinning the process
- Method development, with a specific example of a separation of eight different compounds using a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector
- Quality assurance and method validation—with information applicable to many types of analytical testing laboratories
- Troubleshooting in gas chromatography systems
- New developments in gas chromatography and advances in columns and detectors
Real examples supplement the text, along with questions in each chapter. The book includes examples of applications of gas chromatography in drugs, toxicology, fire, paint, food, and fragrance. Each application is presented as an individual case study with specific focus on a particular sample preparation technique. This allows each technique to be discussed with respect to its theory, instrumentation, solvent selection, and function, as appropriate. Each case study provides readers with suitable practical information to allow them to perform experiments in their own laboratory either as part of a practical laboratory class or in a research context. The final chapter provides answers to the questions and encourages further study and discussion.
Introduction to Gas Chromatography
Instrumentation for Gas Chromatography
Choice of Gas
Sample Introduction
Column Oven
GC Columns
Detectors
Basic Principles of Chromatography
Theory of Chromatography
Method Development
Influence of Sample Introduction Method
Influence of the Carrier Gas
Influence of the Column
Influence of Oven Temperature
Influence of the Detector
An Example
Quality Assurance and Method Validation
Quality Assurance
Quality Control
Why Be Quality Assured?
Ways to Ensure Quality of Product or Service
Instrument Qualification
Method Validation
Troubleshooting in Gas Chromatography
Introduction
Baseline Disturbances
Irregular Peak Shapes
Retention Time Shifts
Loss of Separation or Resolution
Loss of Sensitivity
Rapid Column Deterioration
Ghost Peaks
Developments in Gas Chromatography
Developments in Sample Preparation Techniques
Developments in Column Technology
Developments in Instrumentation
Forensic Applications of Gas Chromatography
Drug Analysis
Forensic Toxicology
Forensic Analysis of Fire Debris
Paint Analysis
Food and Fragrance Analysis
Answers to Questions
Glossary
Index
Biography
John Richard Dean, Michelle Groves Carlin
" … useful for undergraduate and postgraduate students and young scientists, but also for experienced scientists starting to work with gas chromatography."
—Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry