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K2 Toxicity: Fatal Case of Psychiatric Complications Following AM2201 Exposure
Author(s) -
Patton Amy L.,
Chimalakonda Krishna C.,
Moran Cindy L.,
McCain Keith R.,
RadominskaPandya Anna,
James Laura P.,
Kokes Charles,
Moran Jeffery H.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.12216
Subject(s) - medicine , toxicity , poison control , psychiatry , occupational safety and health , suicide prevention , injury prevention , human factors and ergonomics , medical emergency , emergency medicine , pathology
Limited forensic and clinical experience and the lack of confirmatory testing strategies for synthetic cannabinoids (SC) prevent adequate characterization of SC toxicity and the potential impact on public health. A statewide surveillance system identified a fatality involving a 23‐year‐old man found with a large stab wound to the neck following use of a SC product suspected of containing AM2201. Analytical testing for common SCs, SC metabolites, routine drugs of abuse, and over‐the‐counter medications was performed on heart blood obtained at autopsy. Additionally, assays were performed on the SC raw material and drug paraphernalia found on the decedent. High concentrations of AM2201 were detected in all samples. AM2201 metabolites were detected in postmortem blood. Other than a trace amount of JWH‐073 found in smoke residue, no other substances were detected. Psychiatric complications including self‐induced, lethal trauma can occur after the use of SC products.