Jessica Gasbarino has been a Forensic GC/MS Analyst for four and a half years. GC/MS, or gas chromatography mass spectrometry, is a scientific method that is used to identify different substances within a test sample. It is commonly used for drug detection, fire investigation, environmental analysis, explosives investigation, and for identifying unknown samples. In some cases, GC/MS can analyze the particles from a human body to link a criminal to a crime.
Although Jessica’s background is in organic chemistry, she developed an interest in forensics by watching the show Forensic Files on the Discovery Channel. In her current position, she is able to apply her knowledge of organic chemistry to forensic science, by working on samples from cases in criminal justice and environmental issues.
What type of training or education prepared you for your work in this position?
My entire college career and everything that I learned from organic chemistry best prepared me for my career.
What is an average day at work like for you?
You come in and perform data reduction on the samples you ran the previous day, check out the backlog of samples that have been logged in, choose your samples you are going to run that day, prepare them and load them on your instrument. It seems like very little to do but in actuality it takes up the whole day.
When you refer to the “samples”, what exactly are you testing? Does it vary with each case?
Currently I work with environmental samples (water and soil along with oil, wood, cement, etc.). When you work in the crime lab the samples can be blood, urine, saliva, hair, teeth, etc. Samples will vary from case to case.
What types of things are you looking for when you are testing the samples?
This also varies from case to case. In my work it depends on what analysis is ordered by the client. In the crime lab it will depend on what the detectives or DA’s (district attorney’s) are looking for, be it drugs, alcohol or other substances.
What types of cases do the results you find pertain to?
For environmental issues, it could be that a site has had tanker truck spill over and the cleanup crew on the site needs to see how far the contamination has spread. It could also be that a company is dumping chemicals instead of disposing of them properly and are being brought to court. Our data would be used to confirm the illegal dumping. Cities and towns also use our lab to test their drinking water to make sure it is not contaminated and that it is safe for public consumption. For the crime lab it could be murders, DUI’s, arson’s, clandestine labs, or wherever else analysis is needed.
How involved are you with the actual case that the samples come from?
I just run the sample that is presented and I do not do anything else. Crime lab analysts will have to testify in court about their data but it is very rare to have to do that in the environmental field. For crime lab cases it is best that the analyst does not know much about the case because it might bias the results which is why the analyst is not involved.
What is the outcome of the tests you run on the samples? (or what are you aiming for?)
The outcome is to make sure that all compounds are identified if they are present and reported accordingly into the labs data system.
Who uses the information you generate by testing the samples?
In my work the clients, the EPA, and the clean up personnel use the testing results the lab issues to them to monitor sites and clean them up if they are contaminated. For the crime lab it would usually be the detectives, DA’s and defense attorneys
What do you like most about your job?
Working with the instrumentation and troubleshooting when the instrument is not working properly.
What advice do you have for those who are interested in working in this field?
Definitely make sure this is what you want to do because it is hard and stressful. A lot of the time the instruments are not working properly or the samples do not come out right. You have to be able to “think outside the box” because this field is definitely not by the book. Every problem is different and you need to be prepared to expect the unexpected. Also make sure you go to a school that is accredited in the degree, and make sure the professors are helpful and willing to work with you because my professors are really what formed my education. They gave me the tools and helped me when I was stuck.
Did you need any additional criminal justice or forensic training when you started this position or were you fully prepared for the work with your background in organic chemistry?
The organic chemistry learned in school is just the basics and once you obtain a position in the field you are trained for at least 3 months, or 6 months for DNA analysts. If you do not understand organic chemistry it will be very difficult for you to interview for the position and you will most likely not be considered. To this day I learn new things about the instruments and the samples because every case is different. I think I will never truly be prepared, just knowledgeable!
Learn more about forensic science and other exciting careers in criminal justice.
