Mass Spectrometry

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**Note that the molecular ion peak is NOT the dominant peak in the spectrum

Slide 13

Mass Spectrometry in Forensics

Mass spectrometry is used to confirm the identify of unknowns, such as illegal drugs

Unknowns are often not pure, and must be separated from a mixture

Gas chromatography is used to separate the components of the mixture

Mass spectrometry “fingerprints” the components, so that they can be matched to existing known spectra

Gas

Chromatograph

Mixture

Mass

Spectrometer