Forensic sciences mass spectrometry

Apart from the well-known journals covering aspects of chemistry, physics, biology, medicine, geology, environmental science, electrical engineering, and forensic science, which all have occasional articles that use mass spectrometry for analytical purposes, the following journals frequently contain papers in which mass spectrometry plays a major role ... 

Bogusz MJ. 2000. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry as a routine method in forensic sciences a proof of maturity. J Chromatogr B Biomed Sci Appl 748 3. 

Smyth WE, Brooks P. 2004. A critical evaluation of high performance liquid chromatography ionization-mass spectrometry and capillary electrophoresis-electrospray-mass spectrometry for the detection and determination of small molecules of significance in clinical and forensic science. Electrophoresis 25 1413. 

In its history, mass spectrometry has passed through fascinating scientific epochs of development and supplied important contributions to the world view in quite different fields of science (especially in the life sciences, environmental science and technology, material and nuclear sciences, geosciences, cosmochemistry,1 planetary and forensic sciences) and in basic studies in chemistry and physics. 

M. H. Mach, A. Pallos, and P. F. Jones, Feasibility of Gunshot Residue Detection via Its Organic Constituents. Part 1. Analysis of Smokeless Powders by Combined Gas Chromatography-Chemical Ionisation Mass Spectrometry, Journal of Forensic Sciences 23, no. 3 (1978) 433. 

Curcuruto, O., Guidugli, R, Traidi, R, Sturaro, A., Tagliaro, F., and Marigo, M., Ion-trap mass spectrometry applications in forensic sciences. I. Identification of morphine and cocaine in hair extracts of drug addicts. Rapid Commm. Mass Spectrom., 6, 434, 1992. 

Lacassie E, Marquet P, Martin-Dupont S, Gaulier JM, and Lachatre G (2000) A non-fatal case of intoxication with foxglove, documented by means of liquid chromatograp-hy-electrospray-mass spectrometry. Journal of Forensic Sciences 45(5) 1154-1158. 

Sleeman, R., Carter, J. and Ebejer, K. (2005) Drugs on money and beyond tandem mass spectrometry in the forensic sciences. Spec Europe, 17 (6), 10-13. 

Mass spectrometry, on its own, does not find much, if any, use in forensic science due to the nature of the samples that are analysed (sample matrices tend to very complex, e.g., blood). In this section, we shall look at the aspects of mass spectrometry as it relates to hyphenation with liquid chromatography. Hyphenation is the combining of the two techniques whereby HPLC is used to separate a mixture of components each analyte is introduced into the mass spectrometer as a single compound (i.e., no longer part of the matrix of the original sample). 

Steenkamp, P. A., E R. van Heerden, and B. E. van Wyck. 2002. Accidental fatal poisoning by Nicotiana glauca Identification of anabasine by high-performance liquid chromatography/photodiode array/mass spectrometry. Forensic Science International 127 (3) 208. 

The chemical characterization of forensic evidence from a crime scene or the criminal has some different requirements from that of many other types of chemical analysis. High sensitivity is important because the quantity of material for examination is often limited to minute traces found at the scene. The material under scrutiny must be characterized as comprehensively as possible to ensure maximum discrimination from other material in the same class. Forensic laboratories are multiinstrument facilities required to deal with many types of evidence found at a crime scene therefore, the routine methods used should preferably employ relatively inexpensive instrumentation. In order to protect integrity, samples should be analyzed as received if possible and any workup minimized. The method should preferably not be labor intensive. Pyrolysis-gas chromatography (Py-GC) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) have proven to be an effective means of satisfying these requirements in many forensic science laboratories. - ... 

Forensic science deals with solving a crime. Analytical chemistry, especially mass spectrometry, has been at the forefront in gathering evidence of the crime. In addition, the early detection of explosives and biohazards can prevent catastrophic... 

Groppi, A. Polettini, A. Lunetta. P. Achille, G. Montagna, M. (1994) A fatal case of trichlorofluoromethane (freon 11) poisoning. Tissue distribution study by gas chromatography -mass spectrometry. Journal of forensic science 39,3, 871-876. 

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