The Analysis and Distribution of Mescaline in Postmortem Tissues
J.l. Henry, Jean A Epley, Timothy P. Rohrig
Journal of Analytical Toxicology September 1, 2003 DOI: 10.1093/jat/27.6.381 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIn a death from multiple gunshot wounds, mescaline concentrations were measured in body fluids and tissues: 2.95 mg/L in blood, 2.36 mg/L in vitreous humor, 8.2 mg/kg in liver, and 2.2 mg/kg in brain. The drug was extracted using a butyl chloride liquid-liquid method, identified by mass spectrometry, and quantified by gas chromatography with a nitrogen-phosphorus detector. This report documents the distribution of mescaline in a forensic case, providing data on its postmortem levels in different biological matrices.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | One deceased individual |
| Topics | Mescaline |
| Keywords | Distribution mathematics Alkaloid Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry Hallucinogen |
| Citations | 25 |
| Key finding | Mescaline concentrations in a death from multiple gunshot wounds were 2.95 mg/L in blood, 2.36 mg/L in vitreous, 8.2 mg/kg in liver, and 2.2 mg/kg in brain. |
Abstract
Mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine) is a hallucinogenic alkaloid found in the peyote cactus. This report documents mescaline distribution in a death caused by multiple gunshot wounds. Mescaline was extracted with a butyl chloride liquid-liquid method and identified by mass spectrometry. Quantitative analysis was performed by gas chromatography using a nitrogen-phosphorus detector. Concentrations of the drug were 2.95 mg/L, 2.36 mg/L, 8.2 mg/kg, and 2.2 mg/kg in blood, vitreous, liver, and brain, respectively.