FORENSIC APPLICATIONS OF COUPLING NONSUPPRESSED ION-EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH ION-EXCLUSION CHROMATOGRAPHY

Non-suppressed ion-exchange chromatography coupled with ion-exclusion chromatography separates carboxylic acids and inorganic ic anions in one isocratic run. The sample is injected into an ion-exclusion column, which provides separation of weak acid anions. The void volume of the ion-exclusion column is collected on-line and injected into an anion-exchange column, which separates the strong acid anions found there. Samples are described in which inorganic anion as well as carboxylic acid interferences were removed by coupled ion chromatography, Additionally, the practicality of the coupled system for forensic sample screening is discussed.