title: Novel psychoactive substance intoxication resulting in attempted murder.
abstract: A man in his twenties who had no previous history of violence, snorted large quantities of two substances he identified as 3-methoxyphencyclidine (3-MeO-PCP), and methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV); both are recognised as novel psychoactive substances, or commonly described in the media as "legal highs". He also inhaled butane gas. He experienced vivid hallucinations and developed bizarre ideas. During this state of mind he stabbed his father multiple times and was arrested and charged with attempted murder. He had a previous history of drug induced psychosis and although he had some slight residual symptoms before he consumed the substances, these were not considered relevant to his criminal liability at the time of the offence. The hallucinations caused by the use of these substances took six weeks to completely recede. He was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to four years in prison.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 84 Castle Street, Glasgow G4 0SF, UK. Electronic address: richard.stevenson@nhs.net.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.affiliation: Glasgow Forensic Mental Health Services, Douglas Inch Centre, 2 Woodside Terrace, Glasgow G3 7UY, UK.
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tuddenham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D053593:Forensic Toxicology; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000139:chemically induced; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006708:Homicide / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010622:Phencyclidine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010623:Phencyclidine Abuse / Q000150:complications; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000523:psychology*; D011759:Pyrrolidines / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D006213:Hallucinogens; D011759:Pyrrolidines; D010622:Phencyclidine; C005719:pyrovalerone
keywords: Attempted murder; Drug intoxication; Mental health law; Novel psychoactive substance