Fatal Intoxication with Acetyl Fentanyl

Among the new psychoactive substances encountered in forensic investigations is the opioid, acetyl fentanyl. The death of a 28‐year‐old man from recreational use of this compound is reported. The decedent was found in the bathroom of his residence with a tourniquet secured around his arm and a syrin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of forensic sciences 2016-01, Vol.61 (S1), p.S276-S280
Main Authors: Cunningham, Susan M., Haikal, Nabila A., Kraner, James C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
acetyl fentanyl
Adult
Analgesics, Opioid - poisoning
Autopsies
Autopsy
Death
fatal
Fentanyl - poisoning
Forensic pathology
forensic science
Forensic Toxicology
Humans
intoxication
Liver
Male
Narcotics
opioid
postmortem
Substance-Related Disorders
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Summary:Among the new psychoactive substances encountered in forensic investigations is the opioid, acetyl fentanyl. The death of a 28‐year‐old man from recreational use of this compound is reported. The decedent was found in the bathroom of his residence with a tourniquet secured around his arm and a syringe nearby. Postmortem examination findings included marked pulmonary and cerebral edema and needle track marks. Toxicological analysis revealed acetyl fentanyl in subclavian blood, liver, vitreous fluid, and urine at concentrations of 235 ng/mL, 2400 ng/g, 131 ng/mL, and 234 ng/mL, respectively. Acetyl fentanyl was also detected in the accompanying syringe. Death was attributed to recreational acetyl fentanyl abuse, likely through intravenous administration. The blood acetyl fentanyl concentration is considerably higher than typically found in fatal fentanyl intoxications. Analysis of this case underscores the need for consideration of a wide range of compounds with potential opioid‐agonist activity when investigating apparent recreational drug‐related deaths.
ISSN:0022-1198
1556-4029
DOI:10.1111/1556-4029.12953