2-Fluorodeschloroketamine (2-FDCK), a new psychoactive substance similar to ketamine, was detected and quantified in three forensic cases: one of self-mutilation and two deaths. In peripheral blood, concentrations ranged from 457 to 5885 µg/L across the cases, and the main metabolites nor-2-FDCK, dihydro-nor-2-FDCK, and dihydro-2-FDCK were also found. Hair analysis in the two fatal cases showed 2-FDCK at approximately 4149 and 79824 pg/mg. Deschloroketamine (DCK) was present in all biological fluids and hair, but in one case it appeared to result from 2-FDCK metabolism rather than separate ingestion, suggesting the first report of DCK as a metabolite of 2-FDCK in both fluids and hair.
A young woman died after presenting with vomiting, convulsions, and cardiorespiratory arrest. Toxicological analysis confirmed the presence of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-chloroamphetamine (DOC) at less than 10 ng/mL in cardiac blood, along with buprenorphine, cocaine, and cannabis metabolites. Hair analysis indicated a history of drug abuse. Autopsy revealed hemorrhagic infiltration in the left ventricle, pulmonary edema, and hemorrhagic infiltration of the terminal ileum. The authors propose that death resulted from acute drug use in the context of chronic consumption, noting that even low concentrations of new psychoactive substances can have additive toxic effects.