Abstract
Forty-three fatalities involving the potent synthetic cannabinoid, 5-Fluoro-ADB, are summarized. For each case, a description of the terminal event, autopsy findings, cause of death, qualitative identification of 5-Fluoro-ADB and its ester hydrolysis metabolite, 5-Fluoro-ADB metabolite 7, in urine, and the quantitative values obtained in the blood specimens are outlined. Central blood concentrations ranged from 0.010 to 2.2 ng/mL for 5-Fluoro-ADB and 2.0 to 166 ng/mL for 5-Fluoro-ADB metabolite 7. Peripheral blood concentrations ranged from 0.010 to 0.77 ng/mL and 2.0 to 110 ng/mL for 5-Fluoro-ADB and 5-Fluoro-ADB metabolite 7, respectively. The majority of cases resulted in central to peripheral blood concentration ratios greater than 1 for 5-Fluoro-ADB (58%) and 5-Fluoro-ADB metabolite 7 (71%) suggesting that postmortem redistribution occurs to some extent. Combining the increased cardiac weight and/or gastric volume and toxicology data identifying 5-Fluoro-ADB, it is hypothesized that abuse of this substance may precipitate a dysrhythmia and cause sudden death.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 170-182 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Journal of Forensic Sciences |
Volume | 65 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2020 |
Keywords
- 5-Fluoro-ADB
- forensic pathology
- forensic science
- forensic toxicology
- postmortem redistribution
- synthetic cannabinoids
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
- Genetics