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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 17, 2026

Author Spotlight: An Efficient Methodology to Confidently Differentiate and Characterize Fentanyl Analogs

Author Spotlight: An Efficient Methodology to Confidently Differentiate and Characterize Fentanyl Analogs

Published on: November 8, 2024

Acetyl Fentanyl Toxicity: Two Case Reports.

Chelsea Fort¹, Byron Curtis², Clay Nichols²

¹Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Oklahoma - Central Division, Oklahoma City, OK, USA Chelsea.fort@ocme.ok.gov.

Journal of Analytical Toxicology

|July 16, 2016

Summary

Illicit acetyl fentanyl, an analog of fentanyl, was quantified in post-mortem biological samples. Concentrations found in two cases were consistent with it being the cause of death.

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Area of Science:

Forensic Toxicology
Analytical Chemistry

Background:

Acetyl fentanyl is an illicit fentanyl analog emerging in forensic casework.
Accurate quantification in post-mortem samples is crucial for determining cause of death.

Observation:

A quantitative method using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with Selective Ion Monitoring (SIM) was developed.
Acetyl fentanyl was detected and quantified in blood, liver, brain, vitreous humor, and urine from two deceased individuals.

Findings:

Case 1: Heart blood 285 ng/mL, femoral blood 192 ng/mL, liver 1,100 ng/g, brain 620 ng/g, urine 3,420 ng/mL.
Case 2: Heart blood 210 ng/mL, femoral blood 255 ng/mL, urine 2,720 ng/mL, vitreous humor 140 ng/mL.
Concentrations were similar to previously reported levels and deemed fatal.

Implications:

The developed GC/MS SIM method provides accurate quantification of acetyl fentanyl in various biological matrices.
Further research is needed to establish definitive recreational versus fatal concentration thresholds.
This data assists toxicologists in understanding the physiological impact and role of acetyl fentanyl in post-mortem investigations.