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Ketamine in DUID cases in the greater Cologne area.
L Lucuta1, A Maas-Gramlich2, M Kraemer2
1Department of Toxicology, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Cologne, Germany.
Forensic Science International
|December 8, 2023
Summary
This study analyzed eight drug-impaired driving (DUID) cases involving ketamine, finding co-consumption of other substances complicated impairment assessment. However, ketamine-induced psychomotor impairments were documented, supporting forensic casework in rising ketamine abuse cases.
Area of Science:
- Forensic toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Drug-impaired driving research
Background:
- Ketamine, an anesthetic, is increasingly abused for its psychoactive effects.
- This abuse leads to a rise in drug-impaired driving (DUID) incidents.
- Assessing ketamine's specific impact in DUID cases is challenging due to poly-substance use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate psychomotor impairments and driving performance in ketamine-related DUID cases.
- To analyze ketamine concentrations and co-consumed substances in DUID cases.
- To provide data supporting forensic casework in ketamine abuse investigations.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of eight DUID cases involving ketamine (Jan 2021-Jan 2023).
- Evaluation of psychomotor impairments and driving performance.
- Quantitative analysis of ketamine (HPLC-DAD) and other drugs (LC-MS/MS, GC-MS(/MS)).
Main Results:
- Ketamine plasma concentrations ranged from approximately 100-1200 ng/mL (mean: 510 ng/mL).
- All cases involved co-consumption of at least one other substance.
- Observed psychomotor impairments included dilated pupils, speech difficulties, delayed reactions, and agitation.
Conclusions:
- Ketamine-induced impairments were observed, consistent with literature.
- Co-consumption of other drugs complicated the direct attribution of impairments to ketamine.
- Despite limitations, the findings offer valuable data for forensic analysis of ketamine-related DUID cases.
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