Forty-Three Fatalities Involving the Synthetic Cannabinoid, 5-Fluoro-ADB: Forensic Pathology and Toxicology...

Area of Science:

• Forensic Toxicology
• Synthetic Cannabinoid Research
• Cardiovascular Pathology

Background:

• Synthetic cannabinoids pose significant public health risks.
• 5-Fluoro-ADB is a potent and increasingly prevalent synthetic cannabinoid.
• Understanding its toxicological profile is crucial for forensic investigations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize fatalities associated with 5-Fluoro-ADB.
• To analyze autopsy findings and toxicological data in these cases.
• To investigate the potential mechanism of death, including postmortem redistribution and cardiac effects.

Main Methods:

• Review of 43 fatality cases involving 5-Fluoro-ADB.
• Qualitative identification of 5-Fluoro-ADB and its metabolite in urine.
• Quantitative analysis of 5-Fluoro-ADB and its metabolite in blood specimens.
• Assessment of central to peripheral blood concentration ratios to evaluate postmortem redistribution.

Main Results:

• Toxicology confirmed 5-Fluoro-ADB and its metabolite 7 in all cases.
• Blood concentrations of 5-Fluoro-ADB and metabolite 7 were quantified.
• Central to peripheral blood concentration ratios >1 for both compounds suggest postmortem redistribution.
• Increased cardiac weight and/or gastric volume were noted in many cases.

Conclusions:

• 5-Fluoro-ADB abuse is linked to a significant number of fatalities.
• Postmortem redistribution of 5-Fluoro-ADB and its metabolite is evident.
• The findings support the hypothesis that 5-Fluoro-ADB abuse can precipitate dysrhythmia and sudden death.