N‐Ethyl Pentylone‐Related Deaths in Alabama. Issue 1 (16th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Atherton, Daniel; Dye, Daniel; Robinson, C. Andrew; Beck, Rachel
• Is Part Of: Journal of forensic sciences. Volume 64:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 304
• Page End: 308
• Publication Date: 2018-05-16
• Subjects: forensic science -- forensic toxicology -- n‐ethyl pentylone -- novel psychoactive substance -- toxicological interpretation -- excited delirium; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; 363.2505
• DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13823
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1198

Abstract

Abstract: n‐Ethyl pentylone (NEP) is a chemical substance derived from cathinone. Synthetic cathinones are an evolving group of drugs with stimulating, mind‐altering effects sometimes referred to as novel or new psychoactive substances (NPS). There is scarce information in the medical literature regarding forensic cases in which NEP is detected in toxicological testing. We present four fatalities involving NEP from Alabama in 2017. Deaths were attributed to NEP toxicity in two cases (peripheral blood concentrations of 0.121 and 0.953 mg/L) and injuries caused by gunshot wounds in two cases (peripheral blood concentrations of 0.045 and 0.031 mg/L). One case involving NEP described an individual who exhibited classic CNS‐stimulant induced erratic behavior before being found dead. These cases enhance the forensic literature regarding specific NPS like NEP and provide contextual reference for professionals considering the significance of NEP in toxicological interpretation.