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Case Report: Synthetic Cannabinoid Deaths in State of Florida Prisoners
Jessica A Hvozdovich1, Chris W Chronister1, Barry K Logan2
1Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, 4800 SW 35th Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA.
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.
