Gary Golding

This is not a technical chemistry book. It examines what chemists do in problem solving, forensic analysis, public and environmental analysis and management of laboratories. It does this through numerous examples of samples analysed over the past 150 years.
Modern society is controlled through measurements. Analytical chemistry is the application of the chemical sciences to identify and quantify substances to generate data for decision making purposes. Public health and forensic chemistry laboratories’ mission is to protect society from those who would damage the health and well-being of others. It is one of the silver threads that binds society together.
This book examines the 150 years (1873-2023) of achievement of a Government analytical chemistry laboratories. It will be of interest to those who are chemists, studying chemistry, managing laboratories, or members of the public who are curious about the activities of the back-room boffins who generate data for Government and Industrial decision making. Almost every day the newspapers report their results without acknowledgement. Every day, the courts accept their certificates, allowing them to carry out the course of justice.
It looks at the qualifications, career paths and exceptional problem-solving skills of well-trained analytical chemists through numerous examples of case studies ranging from threats to the Australian wheat crop, coal mine explosions, to the toilet paper used in Government facilities.
It examines management styles and structures. It discusses careers in analytical chemistry, and it records the personal careers and achievements of a number of chemists who spent their whole working life at this laboratory.