Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (
GC-MS) is an
analytical method that combines the features of
gas-chromatography and
mass spectrometry to identify different substances within a test sample. Applications of GC-MS include
drug detection,
fire investigation, environmental analysis,
explosives investigation, and identification of unknown samples. GC-MS can also be used in airport security to detect substances in luggage or on human beings. Additionally, it can identify
trace elements in materials that were previously thought to have disintegrated beyond identification.