25I-NBOMe related death in Australia: a case report.

A toxicologically confirmed death from Australia involved the synthetic new psychoactive substance 25I-NBOMe, a derivative of the 2C-X phenethylamine series. NBOMe compounds are hallucinogenic and stimulant, acting as potent agonists of the human 5HT2A receptor, and have been linked to severe toxicity and fatalities. The decedent had a post mortem aortic non-preserved blood concentration of 25I-NBOMe of approximately 28 μg/L, a level much higher than those previously reported in non-fatal cases and analytically confirmed fatalities. This case is the first published from Australia on 25I-NBOMe toxicity, highlighting the need for more toxicological data to improve forensic awareness.

Study at a glance

Abstract

We present a toxicologically confirmed 25I-NBOMe related death from Australia. 25I-NBOMe is a synthetic new psychoactive substance (NPS), which is a derivative of the 2C-X series of phenethylamines. NBOMe compounds have hallucinogenic and stimulant properties and are potent agonists of the human 5HT2A receptor. They have been associated with severe toxicity and fatalities. No case reports on deaths related to 25I-NBOMe toxicity from Australia have been published thus far. Very limited toxicological data is available in the current literature. The decedent in the presented case had a post mortem aortic non-preserved blood concentration of 25I-NBOMe of approximately 28 μg/L, a concentration that appears to be much higher than those previously reported in non-fatal cases of toxicity and analytically confirmed 25I-NBOMe related fatalities. The publication of new data is essential in improving knowledge and awareness amongst the forensic community regarding emerging psychoactive substances, such as the NBOMe compounds.