Intoxication by 3-MeO-PCP and O-desmethyltramadol: an unusual NPS mix.
André Lobo Castro, Maria José C S Pinto Da Costa, Sónia Tarelho, Lara Sousa, Fernando Russo, João Miguel Franco
International journal of legal medicine September 1, 2022 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-022-02818-w via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA man was found unresponsive with powders and paraphernalia nearby. Toxicological analysis of his blood, the powders, and paraphernalia identified five compounds, including 3-MeO-PCP and o-desmethyltramadol, which were quantified in the blood. The results suggest that death resulted from the combined action of these two substances, an unusual mix of new psychoactive substances. This case underscores the importance of examining all scene evidence and using broad-spectrum analytical methods to detect and identify substances involved in intoxication.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A male individual found unresponsive |
| Keywords | 3-meo-pcp Forensic toxicology Intoxication O-desmethyl tramadol |
| Citations | 7 |
| Key finding | Death was suggested to be due to the combined presence and action of 3-MeO-PCP and o-desmethyltramadol. |
Abstract
Over the past few years, the new psychoactive substances' phenomenon has been continuously studied. Its dynamic context is characterized by a broad diversity of substances, including several groups, such as synthetic cathinones, synthetic opiates, and synthetic cannabinoids. However, and due both to this diversity and to the low number of detected cases, information on intoxication reports is always important, in order to understand their biological mechanisms. In this case, a male individual was found unresponsive, with some different powders and paraphernalia near him. After toxicological analysis to the powders, paraphernalia, and whole blood samples, five different compounds were identified. From these, two of them (3-MeO-PCP and o-desmethyltramadol) were identified and quantitated in the whole blood sample. The obtained results suggested that death was due to the presence and action of these two substances, in what may be considered an unusual mix of NPS. This case highlights the value of evaluating all the traces found in the scene investigation and the need of sending all the paraphernalia found for toxicological examination, together with all the possible information obtained on the scene, namely by relatives or witnesses. On the other hand, this case shows the significance of broad-spectrum analytical methods, in order to detect and identify, as specifically as possible, eventual substances present and used by victims.