Use of Xylazine in Drug-Facilitated Crimes

Journal of Forensic Sciences
Jatupon KrongvorakulWinai Wananukul

Abstract

Human xylazine poisoning is uncommon. This report describes the use of xylazine for intentional poisoning with criminal intent. Two incidents occurred within 3 weeks: the first involved one victim, and the second involved two victims. The clinical presentations were brief coma, bradycardia, hypotension, and hyperglycemia. The victims recalled having been given a drink from a stranger in a hospital waiting room before loss of consciousness. In the first case, general drug screening by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (MS) revealed xylazine in the gastric contents, but liquid chromatography-tandem MS (LC-MS/MS) of serum did not. In the second incident, LC-MS/MS screening of both victims' urine and serum samples revealed an unknown peak in the total ion chromatograms, which a molecular mass database identified as morantel or xylazine. The latter was confirmed by comparison with a xylazine standard. Based on this report, we suggest that xylazine should be classified as a controlled drug.

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Citations

Jan 2, 2021·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Wing-Sum ChanBobbie Kwok-Keung Cheung
Mar 28, 2021·Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine·M G GarcíaI Legaz

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