Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Paired with Total Vaporization Solid-Phase Microextraction as a Forensic Tool
Published on: May 25, 2021
Simultaneous determination of GHB and EtG in hair using GCMS/MS
R Paul1, L Tsanaclis, R Kingston
1Division of Chemistry and Forensic Science, University of Glamorgan, CF37 4AT. rpaul@glam.ac.uk
Abstract:
A gas chromatographic tandem mass spectrometric (GCMS/MS) method for simultaneously determining trace concentrations of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in hair has been developed. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was used to detect precursor and product ions of GHB, (233 and 147) and EtG (261 and 143) following anion exchange solid phase extraction and derivatization with N,O-bis[trimethylsilyl]trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA). Deuterated standards of GHB and EtG were used as internal standards. The assay produced excellent linearity (r(2) > 0.99) and sensitivity. The lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) was 10 pg/mg for EtG assuming a 20 mg hair sample. The method has been used to investigate cases of suspected drug facilitated assault as well as being used to identify heavy alcohol consumption in a group of volunteers.
Related Concept Videos
Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS)
A gas chromatograph consists of a long, narrow capillary column with a polysiloxane coating on the inner wall. The coating...
Mass Spectrometry: Complex Analysis
GC–MS is a powerful hyphenated method commonly used in forensics and environmental...
Gas Chromatography: Introduction
In GC, a sample is vaporized and mixed with an inert carrier gas (the mobile phase), which transports it through a column.
Gas Chromatography: Overview of Detectors
A non-destructive detector allows a sample to be analyzed without altering or consuming it, meaning the sample can be collected after detection for further analysis. Examples include thermal conductivity detectors and...

