Fatal intoxication related to two new arylcyclohexylamine derivatives (2F-DCK and 3-MeO-PCE).

A 42-year-old man was found dead at home with bags of 'research chemicals' powders. Toxicological analysis identified three new psychoactive substances (NPS) in his system: 2-fluoro-deschloroketamine (2F-DCK), 3-methoxyeticyclidine (3-MeO-PCE), and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), each with purity above 95%. Peripheral blood concentrations were 1780 µg/L for 2F-DCK, 90 µg/L for 3-MeO-PCE, and 52 µg/L for 5-MeO-DMT. The death was attributed to respiratory depression from a 'cocktail effect' of these substances combined with amphetamine and cocaine. Hair analysis showed a pattern of addiction over several months. This case provides analytical data to aid interpretation in future forensic cases involving arylcyclohexylamine derivatives.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Continuous development and rapid turnover of drug market of new psychoactive substances (NPS) make it difficult to obtain up-to-date analytical methods for efficient detection of intoxication cases with new substances: no analytical data and no previously published concentration values in biological samples are indeed available. In this context, we aim to report the first fatal case involving two newly emerging arylcyclohexylamine derivatives (a group of dissociative ketamine-based substances): 2-fluoro-deschloroketamine (2F-DCK) and 3-methoxyeticyclidine (3-MeO-PCE). A 42-year-old man was found dead at his home with three plastic bags of "research chemicals" powders near him. Comprehensive screenings of drugs and toxic compounds as well as more selective assays (performed using NMR, HS-GC-FID, LC-MS/MS and LC-HRMS methods) allowed (1) to identify the three unknown powders, 2F-DCK, 3-MeO-PCE, and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT, a hallucinogenic tryptamine-related NPS), with purity above 95%, and (2) to determine peripheral blood (1780, 90, and 52 µg/L), urine (6.1, 6.3, and 2.2 mg/L), bile (12, 3.5, and 1.7 mg/L), and vitreous humour (1500, 66 and 155 µg/L) concentrations of 2F-DCK, 3-MeO-PCE and 5-MeO-DMT, respectively. In addition, toxicological results also revealed recent use of cannabis, cocaine, and amphetamine by the victim, and hair analysis draw pathway of addiction (including experiments with various other NPS) for several months before death. This fatality was considered as the consequence of respiratory depression in a poly-drug user due to a "cocktail effect" of concurrent intakes of 2F-DCK (mainly), 3-MeO-PCE, 5-MeO-DMT, amphetamine, and cocaine. In addition, this case report provides analytical data that could support subsequent toxicological result interpretation in forensic cases involving such arylcyclohexylamine derivatives.