Simultaneous LC-MS/MS determination of the emerging ketamine analogue 2F-2-oxo-PCPr and related compounds in human hair and application to forensic casework.
Forensic science international September 1, 2026 Byungsuk Cho, Seonghoon Yeon, Sanghee Woo et al.
A white powder submitted to South Korea's National Forensic Service in early 2025 was identified as 2F-2-oxo-PCPr, a new ketamine analogue with fluorine replacing chlorine and a propyl group replacing the amine methyl group. Because ketamine produces hallucinogenic and dissociative effects by blocking NMDA receptors, this analogue may act similarly. To detect such substances in biological samples, researchers developed and validated a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneously measuring 2F-2-oxo-PCPr, 2F-2-oxo-PCE, 2F-deschloroketamine, ketamine, and their metabolites in human hair. The method met all validation criteria and was applied to hair from eight individuals suspected of using ketamine-related drugs. This is the first reported single hair-based workflow covering ketamine alongside three fluorinated analogues and their metabolites.