Chemistry in Court

Chromatographic separation techniques are now widely used to examine the material evidence associated with a crime. Four areas are considered. Analysis of drugs of abuse by GC, GC-MS and GC-FTIR; HPLC; chiral chromatography; capillary electrophoresis (CE) and capillary electrochromatography (CEC); solid-phase microextraction (SPME). The quantitative detection of adulterants and trace pesticides in foods using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). DNA profiling by separation of fragments by gel and capillary electrophoresis and fluorescence detection. Future developments in automation and miniaturisation and the design of microchips and micro-electrode devices allowing complete analysis in 8 μL cells.