To successfully extract the maximum amount of information, all dimensions of the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) data from a sample run must be used. In this work, retention data were combined with reference mass spectra for computer-aided identification of organics in industrial effluent. Use of retention data proved to be a great help in increasing the analyst's confidence in compound identification from low quality spectrum matches. Even greater confidence will be achieved when libraries that include capillary column retention data and gas phase infrared spectra are available.