Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry determination of LSD, ISO-LSD, and the main metabolite 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD in forensic samples and application in a forensic case.
A liquid chromatography mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) method has been developed for the determination of LSD, iso-LSD and the metabolite 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD in forensic applications. The procedure involves liquid-liquid extraction of the analytes and LSD-D3 (internal standard) from 1.0 g whole blood or 1.0 ml urine with butyl acetate at pH 9.8. Confirmation and quantification were done by positive electrospray ionisation with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Two MRM transitions of each compound were established and identification criteria were set up based on the retention time and the ion ratio. The curves of extracted standards were linear over a working range of 0.01-50 microg/kg for all transitions of LSD and iso-LSD. The limit of quantification was 0.01 microg/kg for LSD and iso-LSD. The method was applied to a case investigation involving a 26-year-old male suspected for having attempted homicide, where blood concentrations of LSD and iso-LSD were determined to 0.27 and 0.44 microg/kg, respectively. 2-Oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD was detected in the urine and confirmed the LSD abuse. The case illustrated the importance of analyte separation before MRM detection of a sample due to identical fragmentation ions of the isomers.
Johansen
Sys Stybe
SS
Department of Forensic Chemistry, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V's vej 11, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark. ssj@forensic.ku.dk
Jensen
Jytte Lundsby
JL
D000328:Adult; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008238:Lysergic Acid Diethylamide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000652:urine*; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D008238:Lysergic Acid Diethylamide; C118789:2-oxo-3-hydroxylysergic acid diethylamide