A rapid, solvent-free method using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed to simultaneously detect methamphetamine, MDMA, ketamine, and their metabolites in urine. Validation showed excellent linearity and acceptable detection limits. Analysis of 95 authentic urine samples revealed widespread polydrug use: 32 of 72 MDMA- or ketamine-positive cases tested positive for both substances. The metabolite-to-parent drug ratio indicated faster metabolism of ketamine compared to the other drugs. The method provides a reliable, high-throughput approach for forensic urine analysis. The findings highlight the prevalence of MDMA-ketamine co-ingestion in South Korea's club scene and emphasize the need for improved monitoring of polydrug abuse.
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.