New applications of gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for novel sample matrices in the forensic sciences: A literature review

Gould, Oliver; Nguyen, Ngoc; Honeychurch, Kevin C.

Abstract

The investigation of novel sample matrices in the forensic sciences offers several possible advantages, such as allowing for results to be obtained in cases where common sample types are absent. This review focuses on the application of gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for the determination of drugs in alternative sample matrices, including hair, sweat, meconium, breast milk, and vitreous humour. Less common sample types are also reported including air, cerumen, insects, and their larvae and pupae. The application of pyrolysis GC-MS (Py GC-MS) is also reviewed, showing the possibility of determining high molecular weight drugs which would commonly be unattainable by GC-MS. The application of Py GC-MS for the simulation and investigation of the underlying chemistry and the products formed in the smoking of drugs is also reported.

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Oct 3, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Oct 7, 2023
• Publication Date: Oct 7, 2023
• Deposit Date: Oct 23, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 24, 2023
• Journal: Chemosensors
• Electronic ISSN: 2227-9040
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 10
• Article Number: 527
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11100527
• Keywords: Physical and Theoretical Chemistry; Analytical Chemistry
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11170987