TY - JOUR
T1 - A study to model the post-mortem stability of 4-MMC, MDMA and BZP in putrefying remains
AU - Wenholz, Daniel S.
AU - Luong, Susan
AU - Philp, Morgan
AU - Forbes, Shari L
AU - Stuart, Barbara H
AU - Drummer, Olaf H.
AU - Fu, Shanlin
PY - 2016/8/1
Y1 - 2016/8/1
N2 - There is currently limited data available on the stabilities of the three stimulants 4-methylmethcathinone (4-MMC), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and N-benzylpiperazine (BZP) in a putrefying matrix. A Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) method to determine the concentration of the three drugs in putrefying porcine liver over a three month period was developed and validated. Both 4-MMC and BZP were found to be unstable, becoming undetectable and having an average recovery of 52% respectively after one month at ambient room temperature (20. °C). MDMA was found to be moderately stable, with an average recovery of 74% after three months at room temperature. This study indicated that the putrefaction process could have a significant impact on concentrations of 4-MMC and BZP in post-mortem cases involving putrefied remains.
AB - There is currently limited data available on the stabilities of the three stimulants 4-methylmethcathinone (4-MMC), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and N-benzylpiperazine (BZP) in a putrefying matrix. A Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) method to determine the concentration of the three drugs in putrefying porcine liver over a three month period was developed and validated. Both 4-MMC and BZP were found to be unstable, becoming undetectable and having an average recovery of 52% respectively after one month at ambient room temperature (20. °C). MDMA was found to be moderately stable, with an average recovery of 74% after three months at room temperature. This study indicated that the putrefaction process could have a significant impact on concentrations of 4-MMC and BZP in post-mortem cases involving putrefied remains.
KW - 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine
KW - 4-methylmethcathinone
KW - N-benzylpiperazine
KW - Putrefactive degradation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84955586092&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.01.006
DO - 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.01.006
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84955586092
SN - 0379-0738
VL - 265
SP - 54
EP - 60
JO - Forensic Science International
JF - Forensic Science International
ER -