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Post-mortem distribution of the synthetic cannabinoid MDMB-CHMICA and its metabolites in a case of combined drug intoxication

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A Correction to this article was published on 05 December 2018

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Abstract

This case report centres on the post-mortem distribution of the synthetic cannabinoid MDMB-CHMICA and its metabolites in the case of a 27-year-old man found dead after falling from the 24th floor of a high-rise building. Toxicological analysis of post-mortem samples confirmed, besides consumption of the synthetic cannabinoids MDMB-CHMICA (1.7 ng/mL femoral blood) and EG-018, the abuse of THC (9.3 ng/mL femoral blood), amphetamine (1050 ng/mL femoral blood), MDMA (275 ng/mL femoral blood), and cocaine. Regarding EG-018 and cocaine, only traces were detected in heart blood as well as in the brain (EG-018) and urine (cocaine), respectively, which is why no quantification was conducted in the femoral blood sample. It was concluded from femoral blood analysis that, at the time of death, the man was under the influence of the synthetic cannabinoid MDMB-CHMICA, THC, amphetamine and MDMA. Comprehensive screenings of all post-mortem specimens were conducted to elucidate the post-mortem distribution of MDMB-CHMICA and its metabolites. The MDMB-CHMICA concentrations ranged between 0.01 ng/mL (urine) and 5.5 ng/g (brain). Comparably low concentrations were detected in cardiac and femoral blood (2.1 ng/mL and 1.7 ng/mL, respectively) as well as in the psoas major muscle (1.2 ng/g). Higher concentrations were found in the lung (2.6 ng/g), liver (2.6 ng/g), and kidney (3.8 ng/g). Gastric content yielded a MDMB-CHMICA concentration of 2.4 ng/g (1.1 μg absolute). Screening for MDMB-CHMICA metabolites resulted in the detection of mainly monohydroxylated metabolites in the blood, kidney, and liver specimens. Results indicated that monohydroxylated metabolites of MDMB-CHMICA are appropriate target analytes for detecting MDMB-CHMICA intake.

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Change history

  • 05 December 2018

    The following clarification to the content of Table 3 (MDMB-CHMICA data from previously published cases of acute (non-fatal) and fatal drug intoxications) of the named manuscript needs to be brought to the readership’s attention.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the laboratory staff for performing the routine systematic toxicological analysis. In addition, the authors thank Tobias Kieliba and Sibylle Banaschak (Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne) for technical support. Special thanks are directed to June Mercer-Chalmers-Bender for editorial support and English language editing.

Funding

This project was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and ZIM (Central Innovations Programs for Medium-sized enterprises) (KF2429613MD3) and the German ‘Bund gegen Alkohol und Drogen im Straßenverkehr e.V.’ (a non-profit association against alcohol and drugs on the road).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Legal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Melatengürtel 60/62, 50823, Cologne, Germany

    Franziska Gaunitz, Sabrina Lehmann, Markus A. Rothschild & Katja Mercer-Chalmers-Bender

  2. Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany

    Andreas Thomas & Mario Thevis

  3. Institute of Forensic Medicine, Health Department Basel-Stadt, University of Basel, Pestalozzistrasse 22, 4056, Basel, Switzerland

    Katja Mercer-Chalmers-Bender

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  1. Franziska Gaunitz
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Correspondence to Katja Mercer-Chalmers-Bender.

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All experiments comply with the current laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. The public prosecutor’s office and the legal representative of the deceased gave permission for this case to be published.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Gaunitz, F., Lehmann, S., Thomas, A. et al. Post-mortem distribution of the synthetic cannabinoid MDMB-CHMICA and its metabolites in a case of combined drug intoxication. Int J Legal Med 132, 1645–1657 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-018-1911-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-018-1911-8

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