Identification and quantification of alpha-methylfentanyl in post mortem specimens

Alpha-methylfentanyl, a potent and illicit narcotic, was isolated and identified in post mortem tissues of a drug overdose victim. Quantification was performed with a gas chromatograph equipped with a nitrogen-phosphorous detector (GC/NPD). Alpha-methylfentanyl concentrations of 78 ng/g, 3.1 ng/mL, and 6.4 ng/mL were obtained for liver, blood, and bile, respectively. Conclusive identification of methylfentanyl was accomplished by mass spectrometry. Despropionylmethylfentanyl was also detected in the extracts of the victim's tissues.