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                            Library & Multimedia
 Postmortem Distribution and Redistribution of Synthetic Cathinones
NCJ Number
              253232
Journal

*Forensic Toxicology* Volume: 36 Issue: 2 Dated: 2018 Pages: 291-303
Author(s)
          Lindsay Glicksberg;
                        Ruth Winecker;
                        Caitland Miller;
                        Sarah Kerrigan
Date Published

2018
Length
              13 pages
Annotation
              This study examined the distribution of synthetic cathinones in postmortem specimens in a series of 50 cathinone-positive fatalities.
Abstract
              Synthetic cathinones are powerful psychostimulants that have been associated with fatal intoxications. Because of changes that take place following death, postmortem toxicology results require careful interpretation. The current study used liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry to quantitatively identify cathinones in central blood (n = 51), peripheral blood (n = 31), urine (n = 33), liver (n = 22), vitreous humor (n = 1) and stomach contents (n = 1). The distribution of cathinones and the potential for postmortem redistribution was assessed. Among the 50 cases investigated, a total of nine synthetic cathinones (a-PVP, ethylone, methylone, butylone, MDPV, methedrone, pentylone, 4-MEC, and MDPBP) were identified in 139 specimens. The number of specimens per case ranged from one to six. In cases that included central blood or liver, together with a peripheral blood source, the central/peripheral (C/P) or liver/peripheral (L/P) ratio was calculated to estimate the potential for postmortem redistribution (n = 21 C/P; n = 11 L/P). Methylone and ethylone appeared to exhibit the greatest potential for postmortem redistribution, producing C/P ratios of 4.0 (1.5-6.1) and 2.9 (0.5-9.2), respectively. In contrast, the C/P ratio for a-PVP was 1.1 (0.5-1.9). Differences in C/P ratios between methylone and a-PVP were statistically significant (a = 0.05). Overall, the study concludes that although synthetic cathinones may exhibit low to moderate postmortem redistribution, significant variability exists due to site- and time-dependent factors. This, in combination with their overall instability, necessitates careful interpretation of postmortem toxicology results. (publisher abstract modified)
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2013-R2-CX-K006


  
  
        
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        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Research (Applied/Empirical)
                                Report (Study/Research)
                                Report (Grant Sponsored)
                                Program/Project Description


  
  
        
  Award
        Long-Term Stability of Synthetic Cathinones in Forensic Toxicology Samples
    
  
  
Date Published: January 1, 2018
    
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