Postmortem detection of 25I-NBOMe [2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]ethanamine] in fluids and tissues determined by high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry from a traumatic death.
We present a traumatic fatality of a 19-year-old man who had ingested blotter paper containing 25I-NBOMe [2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]ethanamine]. Postmortem specimens were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS). Toxicology findings for fluids based upon blood or urine calibrators were as follows: peripheral blood, 405 pg/mL; heart blood, 410 pg/mL; urine, 2.86 ng/mL; and vitreous humor, 99 pg/mL. While findings based upon the method of standard additions were: gastric contents, 7.1 μg total; bile, 10.9 ng/g; brain, 2.54 ng/g and liver, 7.2 ng/g. To our knowledge the presented case is the first postmortem case of 25I-NBOMe intoxication documented by toxicological analysis of tissues and body fluids.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA. Electronic address: jlpoklis@vcu.edu.
Justin L
JL
Poklis
Hillsborough County Medical Examiner Department, Tampa, FL, USA.
Kelly G
KG
Devers
Hillsborough County Medical Examiner Department, Tampa, FL, USA.
Elise F
EF
Arbefeville
Hillsborough County Medical Examiner Department, Tampa, FL, USA.
Julia M
JM
Pearson
Tampa Police Department, Tampa, FL, USA.
Eric
E
Houston
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Department of Forensic Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA. Electronic address: apoklis@mcvh-vcu.edu.
Alphonse
A
Poklis
D001596:Benzylamines / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning; D001646:Bile / Q000737:chemistry; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D015198:Designer Drugs / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning; D004118:Dimethoxyphenylethylamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D053593:Forensic Toxicology; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010209:Paper; D010627:Phenethylamines / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000737:chemistry; D055815:Young Adult
D001596:Benzylamines; D015198:Designer Drugs; D004118:Dimethoxyphenylethylamine; D010627:Phenethylamines; C554181:2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine
25I-NBOMe; Bath salts; Designer drugs; HPLC/MS/MS