There are several instrumental techniques commonly used in toxicology:
- Gas Chromatography (GC): GC is used to separate and analyze compounds that can be vaporized without decomposition. It is widely used for the analysis of volatile organic compounds.
- Liquid Chromatography (LC): LC is utilized for separating complex mixtures that may not be suitable for GC. It is particularly useful for analyzing non-volatile and thermally labile substances.
- Mass Spectrometry (MS): MS is used to identify compounds based on their mass-to-charge ratio. It is often coupled with chromatography for comprehensive analysis.
- Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS): AAS is used for detecting metal ions in samples. It is sensitive and can detect metals at trace levels.
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy: NMR provides detailed information about the molecular structure of organic compounds.
