Detection of synthetic cathinones in victims of sexual assault. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hagan, Kiara S.; Reidy, Lisa
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 257(2015)
• Page Start: 71
• Page End: 75
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Forensic science -- Forensic toxicology -- Drug-facilitated sexual assault -- Synthetic cathinones -- ELISA -- GC–MS; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Chimie légale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Chemistry, Forensic; Medical jurisprudence; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.07.040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Highlights: Trends of synthetic cathinones detected in sexual assault victims in Miami. Synthetic cathinones cross react with ELISA methamphetamine assay. First qualitative method for synthetic cathinones in urine. 13% of urine cases from victims of sexual assault was positive for Methylone. Abstract: Drug facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) can be defined as sexual activity occurring whereby the victim is incapacitated by drugs and/or alcohol and thereby unable to consent. A new wave of designer drugs is emerging in the community at large and one group, the synthetic cathinones, is described in this study. Analyzing urine samples from reported sexual assaults submitted to the University of Miami Toxicology Lab in 2013 determined that methylone has become a popular drug encountered in these cases. Derivatization of these synthetic cathinones enabled a validated a qualitative method to identify ten different designer drugs. Of the forty-five sexual assault samples submitted, 13% were positive for synthetic cathinones without any toxicological finding of ethanol, GHB or ketamine. This study illustrates the recent correlation of drug-facilitated sexual assaults and the use of synthetic cathinones.