Detection of methamphetamine and amphetamine in a skeletonized body buried for 5 years

A 28-year-old male methamphetamine abuser, who had been buried for 5 years after being killed by strangulation, was found skeletonized. Methamphetamine and amphetamine in the significantly denatured fatty material of the bone marrow were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The confirmation of the chemicals was carried out by chemical ionization (CI) mass chromatography, CI mass spectrometry and CI mass fragmentography. The concentrations of methamphetamine and amphetamine determined by CI mass fragmentography were 1.0 mumol/100 g and 0.1 mumol/100 g, respectively. The method used would seem to be very useful for determination of methamphetamine and amphetamine in marked putrefied biological materials.     

Detection of methamphetamine in mouse femurs exposed to high temperature

Bone samples are valuable for examining the cause of death and circumstance leading up to death when body fluids are not available for forensic toxicological analysis. Examined were heat-induced changes in methamphetamine and amphetamine concentrations in femurs removed from methamphetamine-injected mice to determine if the burned bones could be used for toxicology testing. The femurs were heated at 100°C, 300°C, or 500°C for 10 or 30 min. The tissue structure of the heated femurs was preserved at 100°C for 30 min but was destructed at higher temperatures. Methamphetamine and amphetamine were detected in femurs heated at 100°C for 10 min, 100°C for 30 min, and 300°C for 10 min (with methamphetamine and amphetamine concentrations ranging from 0.36 to 35 μg/g and 0.54 to 47 μg/g, respectively). Methamphetamine and amphetamine were detectable when heated above their decomposition temperature as a result of limited heat transfer do to protection provide by the femoral muscle. Thus, the bone could be a useful analytical sample in cases of burn-related deaths, where it is difficult to collect body fluids.     

Distribution and optical purity of methamphetamine found in toxic concentration in a civil aviation accident pilot fatality

Toxicological evaluation of postmortem samples collected from a pilot involved in a unique fatal civil aircraft accident is described in this paper. A one-occupant airplane was substantially damaged upon colliding with terrain in poor visibility. Remains of the pilot were found outside the aircraft. Pathological examination revealed multiple blunt force injuries and vascular congestion. The fluorescence polarization immunoassay disclosed 8.0 microg/mL amphetamines in urine. Gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric analyses determined the presence of methamphetamine (1.13 microg/mL in blood and 59.2 microg/mL in urine) and amphetamine (0.022 microg/mL in blood and 1.50 microg/mL in urine). Methamphetamine was distributed throughout the body, including the brain. The amount of methamphetamine in gastric contents was 575-fold higher than that of amphetamine. The (+)- and (-)-forms of methamphetamine were present in equal proportions in gastric contents. The methamphetamine concentration found in blood was in the range sufficient to produce toxic effects, causing performance impairment.     

Nails as useful materials for detection of methamphetamine or amphetamine abuse

Methamphetamine and amphetamine could be demonstrated in nail clippings obtained from methamphetamine users by sensitive gas chromatography/chemical ionization mass spectrometry with N-methylbenzylamine as an internal standard. The methamphetamine levels in fingernails were comparable to those in hair. Both stimulants were more concentrated in toenails than in fingernails. The detection of methamphetamine and amphetamine in nails provides an alternative informatian to that in hair on their past abuse.     

Classical stimulants in Dallas County: A retrospective review of toxicological,seized drug,and demographical data from 2017 to 2022

Cocaine and methamphetamine remain highly abused drugs in the United States due to their euphoric effects. This study examines classical stimulant casework, defined as cases positive for methamphetamine and/or cocaine, received by the Toxicology Laboratory and the Drug Analysis Laboratory at the Dallas County Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences from local law enforcement agencies and/or the Office of the Medical Examiner (OME) between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2022. Methamphetamine positivity increased from 10.4% to 20.3% in the Toxicology Laboratory over the 6 years, whereas cocaine positivity remained relatively stable at approximately 17%. Similarly, in the Drug Analysis Laboratory, the methamphetamine positivity rate changed from 24.8% to 33.2%, whereas cocaine identification remained stable at approximately 20%. Blood concentrations of methamphetamine in OME cases ranged from 10.1–42,740.0 ng/mL while they were lower in DWI casework ranging from 10.2–2385.0 ng/mL. The blood concentration trends of cocaine were similar to methamphetamine, with OME casework ranging higher (10.0–24,501.0 ng/mL) than DWI casework (10.2–371.6 ng/mL). Polydrug use was evident for both methamphetamine and cocaine in postmortem cases, and the top three most frequently co-occurring drug/drug class were opioids/opiates, cannabinoids, and ethanol. The results from this study aid in the understanding of historical usage trends of cocaine and methamphetamine in Dallas County and how those trends have changed over time as newer stimulant drugs have emerged.     

Methamphetamine and amphetamine concentrations in postmortem rabbit tissues

The feasibility of detecting methamphetamine and its major metabolite, amphetamine, in postmortem tissues over a 2-year period was examined. It is important to determine if the abuse and toxic effects of drugs can be proved from evidence found in decayed, submerged, or stained tissue materials. The blood, urine, liver, skeletal muscle, skin and extremity bones from rabbits given methamphetamine intravenously were kept at room temperature, under 4 different conditions: sealed in a test tube, dried in the open air, submerged in tap water and stained on gauze. Methamphetamine was present in all the samples, with slight change in concentration in case of sealed and air dried tissues. Changes varied in bones kept in water. There were considerable decreases in methamphetamine in blood and urine stains. Despite long term storage, drug abuse and/or toxicity could be determined, in all tissues examined.     

A fatal methamphetamine poisoning associated with hyperpyrexia

After self-administration of 0.05g of methamphetamine hydrochloride intravenously on three occasions at intervals of 3h, a 25-year-old female methamphetamine abuser ingested approximately 1.5 g of methamphetamine hydrochloride, and was found dead 3–4 h later. Complete rigor mortis was observed 1–2 h after death and the rectal temperature was 38.4°C 3–4 h after death.Distribution of methamphetamine and amphetamine in the body was analyzed by chemical ionization mass fragmentography. Amphetamine/methamphetamine concentrations (μ mol/100 g) were $\text{0.26}\text{28.8}$ in blood, $\text{0.64}\text{68.2}$ in brain, $\text{0.96}\text{117.1}$ in liver, $\text{0.53}\text{50.6}$ in kidney, and $\text{1.49}\text{1045}$ in stomach contents. Total amount of methamphetamine hydrochloride in stomach contents was 11.6mg.Amphetamine in tissues was a metabolite of methamphetamine, and amphetamine in stomach contents resulted from excretion into saliva and gastric mucous excretion. With rectal temperature at death estimated at more than 41°C, it would seem that hyperpyrexia played an important role in causing death from methamphetamine poisoning.     

甲基苯丙胺在豚鼠毛发中分布及转化的初步研究

目的对甲基苯丙胺在豚鼠毛发中分布及转化机制进行初步研究。方法利用GC/MS,GC/NPD法,测定单次及多次给药豚鼠毛发中MAP、AP的含量变化过程,考察给药剂量与毛发中MAP、AP的含量间的关系,并研究毛发颜色对染毒豚鼠毛发中MAP、AP含量的影响。结果单次及多次给药豚鼠毛发中代谢产物AP均高于原体MAP,给药时间及给药剂量与毛发中MAP、AP的含量显著相关,同体豚鼠黑色毛发中的MAP、AP含量均明显高于棕色、白色毛发。结论给药方式、给药剂量及毛发颜色对豚鼠毛发中MAP、AP的含量均有显著影响。     

Highly sensitive analysis of methamphetamine and amphetamine in human whole blood using headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A simple and highly sensitive method for analysis of derivatized methamphetamine (MA) and amphetamine (AM) in whole blood was developed using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry electron impact ionization selected ion monitoring (GC-MS-EI-SIM). A whole blood sample, deuterated-MA (d(5)-MA), as an internal standard (IS), tri-n-propylamine and pentafluorobenzyl bromide were placed in a vial. The vial was heated and stirred at 90 degrees C for 30min. Then the extraction fiber of the SPME was exposed at 90 degrees C for 30min in the headspace of the vial while being stirred. The derivatives adsorbed on the fiber were desorbed by exposing the fiber in the injection port of a GC-MS. The calibration curves showed linearity in the range of 0.5-1000ng/g for both MA and AM. The time for analysis was about 80min per sample. In addition, this proposed method was applied to two autopsy cases where MA ingestion was suspected. In one case, MA and AM concentrations in the mixed left and right heart blood were 165 and 36.9ng/g, respectively. In the other case, MA and AM concentrations were 1.79 and 0.119 microg/g in the left heart blood, and 1.27 and 0.074 microg/g in the right heart blood, respectively.     

Rapid analysis of amphetamines in blood using head space-solid phase microextraction and selected ion monitoring

A simple and rapid method for analysis of methamphetamine (MA) and amphetamine (AP) in blood was developed using head space-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/electron impact ionization-selected ion monitoring (GC-MS/EI-SIM). A vial containing a blood sample, sodium hydroxide, and pentadeuterated methamphetamine as an internal standard, was heated at 80 °C for 20 min. The extraction fiber of the SPME was exposed for 5 min in the head space of the vial. First, heptafluorobutyric anhydride solution was injected into the injection port of the GC-MS to make heptafluorobutyramide (HFB) derivatives of amphetamines, and compounds absorbed on the fiber were detached by exposing the fiber in the injection port. Straight calibration curves of MA and AP were obtained from 0.01 to 2 μg/g in blood, respectively. No interfering substances were found, and the time for analysis was 30 min for one sample.     

Forensic toxicologic analysis of methamphetamine and amphetamine in body materials by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of methamphetamine and amphetamine in biologic materials was carried out by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. A deuterium-labeled methamphetamine was employed as an internal standard with a detection limit of 50 pg and absolute stability and reproducibility. Blood was found to be the best material for estimation of the toxicity of the stimulant drug. It can be replaced by muscle which contains methamphetamine concentrations close to those of blood. The authors' classification of the toxic blood levels of methamphetamine from therapeutic to fatal doses was confirmed by additional data obtained from new case studies.     

Clinical and Autopsy Characteristics of Fatal Methamphetamine Toxicity in Australia

Characteristics of death attributed solely to methamphetamine toxicity (MT, n = 93) by forensic pathologists were examined and compared to cases of multiple drug toxicity (MDT, n = 634). The mean age of MT cases was 36.7 years, and 86.0% were male. Strenuous activity was reported in 12.9%. The most common witness observations were: collapse (60.3%), difficulty in breathing (36.2%), and hyperthermia (27.6%). MT cases had higher blood methamphetamine (0.54 vs. 0.11 mg/L) and amphetamine (0.04 vs. 0.02 mg/L) concentrations and lower likelihoods for opioids (12.5% vs. 80.9%), hypnosedatives (27.3 vs. 60.7%), antidepressants (14.8 vs. 29.8%), and antipsychotics (9.1 vs. 19.7%). MT cases had significantly heavier hearts than MDT cases (423.4 vs. 385.8 g) and were more likely to have cardiomegaly (37.1 vs. 20.4%) and replacement fibrosis (25.7 vs. 14.5%). The clinical picture was of a sudden cardiac event in a middle‐aged man with a high methamphetamine concentration. Cardiovascular signs of heavy methamphetamine use are frequently seen.     

甲基苯丙胺滥用与司来吉兰服用的区分:尿液中甲基苯丙胺和苯丙胺的手性分析

目的考察司来吉兰及其代谢物在尿液中的含量变化,并结合实际案例探讨手性分析区分甲基苯丙胺滥用与司来吉兰服用的可行性。方法采用CHIROBIOTICTM V2手性液相色谱柱对尿液样品进行手性分离和液相色谱-串联质谱(LC-MS/MS)法测定,并对司来吉兰服药志愿者尿样、疑服用司来吉兰的涉毒人员尿样进行甲基苯丙胺和苯丙胺的手性分析。结果服用5 mg司来吉兰后,尿液中司来吉兰的检出时限仅为7h。尿液中R(-)-甲基苯丙胺和R(-)-苯丙胺约在7h质量浓度最高,分别为0.86μg/m L和0.18μg/m L,并在80 h和168 h后无法检出。应用该方法成功分析了疑服用司来吉兰的涉毒人员尿液中甲基苯丙胺和苯丙胺的来源。结论甲基苯丙胺和苯丙胺的手性分析以及司来吉兰代谢物检测可区分甲基苯丙胺滥用与司来吉兰服用。     

小鼠各脏器及血中甲基苯丙胺的分布

目的通过给小鼠腹腔注射甲基苯丙胺(MAMP),建立小鼠急性染毒模型。方法运用GC/NPD技术,系统地进行了染毒小鼠模型各脏器及血中甲基苯丙胺(MAMP)的定性定量测定。采用1-萘胺作为内标,样品处理时采取加盐酸成盐后,又碱化,用有机溶剂萃取浓缩挥发。结果回收率高于80%。血、各脏器中最低检出限为2～5ng/ml。结论脑、肾、脾组织可以用于法庭科学分析。     

GC法检测血液和尿液中甲基苯丙胺和咖啡因

目的建立同时测定血、尿中甲基苯丙胺和咖啡因含量的方法。方法应用GC／NPD技术,以4-苯基丁胺为内标,直接碱化,用氯仿提取,三氟乙酸酐衍生化,8CB熔融石英毛细管柱（30m×0．25mm×0．25μm）分析。结果生物样品中甲基苯丙胺与咖啡因在0．012—7．5μg/mL浓度范围内线性关系良好,检测限（S／N=3）依次为1．2ng／mL,0．6ng／mL（血）;1．6ng／mL,0．8ng／mL（尿）。苯丙胺在0．017—10．0μg／mL浓度范围内线性关系良好,检测限为1．6mg／mL（血）,3．2ng／mL（尿）。所有样本回收率均大于85％。结论本方法准确、灵敏,适用于血、尿中甲基苯丙胺及其代谢物苯丙胺的三氟乙酸酐衍生化物和咖啡因的同时检测,为判定滥用毒品种类、追查毒品来源以及研究生物体内甲基苯丙胺和咖啡因的交互影响提供了检测手段。     

Articles found in the possession of a methamphetamine abuser

A plastic syringe containing bloody fluid, 2 ampules of 20% glucose, an ampule containing diphenhydramine hydrochloride and calcium bromide, powder in a plastic bag and powder wrapped in paper were among the articles found in the possession of a 42-year-old male methamphetamine abuser, who had been taken to a mental hospital owing to his hallucinations.Examination of the patient revealed several recent needle punctures on the left forearm. The concentration of methamphetamine and its metabolite, amphetamine, in blood collected 1 day following the last intake was 76 nmol/100 g. Analysis of the powder and of the contents of the syringe revealed methamphetamine hydrochloride at a concentration of 99.0–99.5% and 7.4%, respectively. Neither glucose nor diphenhydramine were detected in the contents of the syringe.It would seem that the patient abused methamphetamine hydrochloride by intravenous injection after dissolving it in city water or distilled water.     

Amphetamine derivative related deaths in northern Greece

Until 1997, only one amphetamine related derivatives (AMPs) fatality had been reported in Greece. Since then, amphetamine (AMP) or AMPs have been found in seven out of 1,500 post-mortem toxicological cases. The cause and manner of death of these seven cases were: 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methamphetamine (MDMA) and 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine (MDEA) poisoning (n = 1), drowning in water (n = 4), cranial injuries caused by a traffic accident (n = 1) and heart failure (n = 1). In the case where the use of AMP or AMPs was considered, the immediate cause of death post-mortem toxicological analysis revealed 2 microg/ml MDMA and 0.7 microg/ml MDEA in blood. MDMA was identified in two cases of drowning (2 microg/ml in blood in the first case and 1.7 microg/g in liver in the second case) and in the traffic accident case (0.4 microg/g in liver). Methamphetamine was detected in two cases of drowning (2.5 microg/ml in blood in the first case and 6 microg/g in liver in the second case). AMP was found in the heart failure case (0.2 microg/g in liver). Alcohol was present, together with AMP or AMPs, in four cases. These findings indicate an increase in the illegal abuse of AMPs in Greece. Because of this, we now routinely screen for AMPs.     

CI-mass fragmentographic analysis of methamphetamine and amphetamine in human autopsy tissues after acute methamphetamine poisoning

A 22-year-old male methamphetamine abuser was put under police protection owing to his abnormal state of excitation, but died 1 h later. Distribution of methamphetamine and amphetamine in the body was analyzed by the chemical ionization mass fragmentographic method. Amphetamine/methamphetamine concentrations (μmol/100 g) were $\text{0.24}\text{5.59}$ in blood, $\text{0.41}\text{9.43}$ in liver, $\text{0.41}\text{10.02}$ in brain, $\text{0.37}\text{9.80}$ in kidney, $\text{0.18}\text{4.57}$ in muscle, $\text{0.02}\text{0.63}$ in subcutaneous fat and $\text{1.87}\text{1464}$ in gastric contents. Total amount of methamphetamine hydrochloride in stomach contents was about 54 mg. Amphetamine concentrations in tissues ranged from 3.2% to 4.3% of methamphetamine, and was 0.1% in stomach contents. Amphetamine in tissues seems to be a metabolite of methamphetamine, and amphetamine in gastric contents is presumed to result from gastric mucous excretion. The blood concentration of methamphetamine was at a fatal level, and the total amount of the drug in gastric contents indicates that fatal poisoning occurred by ingestion.     

分子印迹固相萃取法在血中苯丙胺类毒品分析中的应用

目的建立分子印迹固相萃取（MISPE）、GC/MS分析方法,用于血液中苯丙胺类毒品检测。方法 10mmol/L醋酸铵缓冲液（pH8.0）4倍稀释空白添加血液,1mL甲醇,1mL10mmol/L醋酸铵缓冲液（pH8.0）活化苯丙胺类分子印迹固相萃取柱;2×1mL去离子水、1mL60%的乙腈去离子水、1mL1%醋酸乙腈洗涤杂质;2×1mL1%甲酸/甲醇洗脱,洗脱液挥干定容,经GC/NPD、GC/MS分析检测。结果各种苯丙胺类毒品回收率均在90%以上,在20～5 000ng/mL浓度范围内线性关系良好,r2为0.995 7～0.998 9,LOQ在16～30ng/mL之间,LOD在8～15ng/mL之间。结论本方法回收率高,净化效果显著,稳定性好,杂质干扰少,可用于血液中低浓度苯丙胺类毒品的分析检测。