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GC/IR - THEORY, HISTORY, AND
APPLICATIONS WITHIN FORENSIC SCIENCE

The Speaker is a Forensic Scientist II with the New Jersey State Police Forensic Science Laboratory Bureau in Hammonton. He received his B.S in Chemistry from Richard Stockton College of NJ. Upon graduation he worked as an Infrared Spectroscopist for Sadtler research Labs and then joined the NJ State Police in 1987. He has undergone considerable other training in forensic science and infrared spectroscopy as well as other spectral methods. Much of this training was at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He uses numerous combination techniques to identify illegal substances for the many Police departments of South Jersey.



Abstract: It has been over forty years since infrared spectroscopy was first applied to gas chromatography by identifying trapped effluents taken directly from the column. With the advent of the first commercial FTIR appearing in 1969 as well as the explosive growth in computer technology, Interferometry has made dispersive infrared techniques obsolete by its multiplex nature. These modern FTIR spectrometers and data systems provide rapid scanning, increased sensitivity, and endless disk space for data storage. All of these characteristics are necessary in order to merge FTIR with today's sensitive High Resolution Capillary Gas Chromatography. The Hewlett Packard 5890/5965B GC/IRD system represents the total culmination of all advances and research in GC/FTIR for the past 30 years. We will focus on this particular system and cover its design and acquisition software. This unit is still commercially available today and is marketed by DIGILAB under the name IRD II and is practically unchanged from its predecessor.
Although the confirmatory method of choice for most forensics labs is GC/MS, there are many compounds in the area of drug analysis which yield poor fragmentation patterns. In addition, positional isomers cannot be unequivocably identified by their mass spectra alone. Specific examples will be shown how infrared data from this system can provide a better means of identification. A general discussion of the differences between vapor/condensed phases will be given as well as current digital search libraries available for GC/FTIR.

The March meeting will be held at Adelphia Restaurant in Deptford.

The restaurant is located at 1750 Clements-Bridge Road, Deptford NJ 08096

From North Jersey, Philly, take I295 to exit 26, take Highway 42/Atlantic City Expressway south towards Atlantic City, and exit onto Highway 55. Take the first exit. Go left at the light and proceed to Clements-Bridge Road. Turn right. The restaurant is on the left side of the road and will require you to do a U-turn.

From Atlantic City, take the AC Express way to the Route 322 exit. Go through Rowan campus to route 55. Take Route 55 north to the Deptford Mall exit. Use directions above.

From Rowan, use Route 55 to go to the Deptford Mall, exit and then use the directions above.

Please call the restaurant at 856-845-8200 for directions if needed. You can also check their web site at www.adelphiarestaurant.com.

Dinner selections:
Grilled Salmon with Olive Oil and Lemon Butter,
Chicken Parmigiana, Breaded Breast of Chicken Topped with Mozzarella Cheese and Tomato Sauce.
These are served with vegetable medley and parfait potatoes.
Vegetarian Meal

Special orders such as low-salt meals must be ordered in advance and may exceed the $20.00 price.

Please call or email your reservation by Friday, March 12. Be sure to indicate your dinner choice!

Guenter Niessen 856-423-6300 or gniessen@emdchemicals.com
Reena Colacot, 609-919-3378 or reena.colacot@laureatepharma.com