Case Report: Synthetic Cannabinoid Deaths in State of Florida Prisoners. Issue 3 (7th January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hvozdovich, Jessica A; Chronister, Chris W; Logan, Barry K; Goldberger, Bruce A
• Is Part Of: Journal of analytical toxicology. Volume 44:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 298
• Page End: 300
• Publication Date: 2020-01-07
• Subjects: synthetic cannabinoids -- prisoners -- deaths; Drugs -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Drugs -- Toxicity testing -- Periodicals; 615.907
• DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkz092
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0146-4760

Abstract

Abstract: Between March 2017 and November 2018, 54 prisoner fatal overdose cases submitted to the University of Florida Forensic Toxicology Laboratory involved synthetic cannabinoids including 5F-ADB, FUB-AMB, 5F-AMB, MDMB-FUBINACA and AB-CHMINACA. Analysis of blood and urine samples was performed at NMS Labs (Horsham, PA) by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry screening, confirmatory and quantitative methods validated according to Scientific Working Group for Forensic Toxicology guidelines. This work highlights the importance of effective communication between toxicologists and medical examiners/coroners, and the value of public-private partnerships to provide coverage while laboratories work to update instrumentation and validate their own new methods to keep up with the challenges of emerging substances.