chromatography

Chromatography is a family of laboratory techniques for separating mixtures of chemicals into their individual compounds. The basic principle of chromatography is that different compounds will stick to a solid surface or dissolve in a film of liquid to different degrees. Chromatography is used extensively in forensics, from analyzing body fluids for the presence of illicit drugs, to fiber analysis, blood analysis from a crime scene, and at airports to detect residue from explosives.