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Related Concept Videos

MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry01:19

MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

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Mass spectrometry is a powerful characterization technique that can identify and separate a wide variety of compounds ranging from chemical to biological entities, based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). The instruments that allow this detection, known as mass spectrometers, have three components: an ion source, a mass analyzer, and a detector. These spectrometers differ based on the nature of their ion source and analyzers.Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) is a commonly...
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Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used to determine the molecular mass and molecular formula of a compound. The basic principle of mass spectrometry is to generate ions from the analyte molecule and measure these ion abundances against their molecular mass. One common type of ionization, known as electron ionization or EI, bombards the analyte molecules in the gas phase with high-energy electron beams. The electron beams displace an electron from the molecule and leave behind a...
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Mass Spectrum: Interpretation01:24

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An unknown compound can be established by identifying the molecular ion peak in the mass spectrum. The molecular ion peak is often weak or absent due to the predominance of fragmentation in high-energy electron beams. In such cases, a soft-energy electron beam can be used to scan the spectrum to enhance the intensity of the molecular ion peak. Additionally, chemical ionization, field ionization, and desorption ionization spectra are used to obtain a relatively intense molecular ion peak.To...
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Tandem Mass Spectrometry01:21

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Tandem mass spectrometry is a technique that uses multiple mass analyzers in series to obtain a higher selectivity and reduce chemical noise during analyte detection. Instruments with multiple analyzers separated by an interaction cell enable secondary fragmentation and selected study of the fragment ions.Secondary fragmentations occur in the interaction cell and can be induced by various factors. Fragmentation induced by collision with inert gases, such as N2, Ar, He, etc., is called...
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Mass Spectrometry: Complex Analysis01:21

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Mass spectrometry is an important technique for the identification of pure compounds. However, it has some limitations for the analysis of complex mixtures, often due to excessive fragmentation making the spectrum too complicated to decipher. Mass spectrometry can be combined with suitable separation methods in sequence, forming hyphenated methods, which are useful in the analysis of complex mixtures.
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Mass Spectrometers01:16

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This lesson details the instrumentation of a mass spectrometer—a physical instrument to perform mass spectrometry on analyte molecules and record the characteristic mass spectra. This is achieved via three chief functions:
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Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Paired with Total Vaporization Solid-Phase Microextraction as a Forensic Tool
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Forensic Mass Spectrometry.

William D Hoffmann1, Glen P Jackson

  • 1Department of Forensic and Investigative Science and.

Annual Review of Analytical Chemistry (Palo Alto, Calif.)
|June 14, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Forensic mass spectrometry adoption lags behind other fields, hindering casework. Innovations in chemometrics and likelihood ratios offer unique forensic potential, but require robust instruments and skilled personnel for implementation.

Keywords:
ambient ionizationcontrolled substancesexplosivesfield-portable mass spectrometershair analysisisotope ratio mass spectrometry

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Area of Science:

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Forensic Science

Background:

  • Forensic mass spectrometry often adopts technologies developed in other scientific disciplines.
  • Numerous advanced techniques like ambient ionization and portable mass spectrometers exist but are not widely implemented in forensic casework.
  • The field faces challenges in infrastructure and personnel for adopting new mass spectrometry technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review trends, driving forces, and potential impacts of emerging forensic mass spectrometry techniques.
  • To highlight the unique contributions of forensic science in chemometrics and likelihood ratio determination for evidence evaluation.
  • To discuss the barriers to the adoption and implementation of advanced mass spectrometry in forensic casework.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature and technological advancements in mass spectrometry relevant to forensic science.
  • Analysis of the potential benefits and challenges of adopting new techniques.
  • Examination of the role of chemometrics and statistical evaluation in forensic evidence.

Main Results:

  • Forensic mass spectrometry benefits from external technological advancements but struggles with adoption.
  • Chemometrics and likelihood ratio determination represent a cutting-edge area within forensic science.
  • Successful implementation hinges on user-friendly instrumentation and a workforce trained in advanced techniques.

Conclusions:

  • Forensic mass spectrometry's impact is limited by the lack of readily usable instruments and trained personnel.
  • Significant advancements in chemometrics offer powerful tools for evidence evaluation in forensic science.
  • Bridging the gap between technological development and practical casework is crucial for the future of forensic mass spectrometry.