Top

Forensic Toxicology

Published in:

01-01-2020 | Alkaloids | Case Report

Attempt of scopolamine-facilitated robbery: an original case of poisoning by inhalation confirmed by LC–MS/MS and review of the literature

Authors: Laurène Dufayet, Elizabeth Alcaraz, Jack Dorol, Caroline Rey-Salmon, Jean-Claude Alvarez

Published in: Forensic Toxicology | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Purpose

Scopolamine, an alkaloid found in certain plants, has become a drug of use for recreational and predatory purposes. We present here the case of an attempted scopolamine-facilitated robbery, via inhalation, with full recovery of the victim. We also performed a review of toxicological findings for scopolamine poisoning cases in available scientific literature.

Methods

Whole blood and urine samples were collected 4 h after the assumed poisoning. Concentrations of scopolamine were determined in both samples by a validated and accredited method using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.

Results

Scopolamine was the only substance found in both whole blood and urine samples, at 7 and 510 ng/mL, respectively.

Conclusions

Scopolamine poisoning remains rare, as its half-life is short; blood and urine should be collected as soon as possible for toxicological analysis. This case is, to our knowledge, the first described case of inhaled scopolamine robbery attempt, with quantitative toxicological findings.

Hindmarch I, ElSohly M, Gambles J, Salamone S (2001) Forensic urinalysis of drug use in cases of alleged sexual assault. J Clin Forensic Med 8:197–205. https://doi.org/10.1054/jcfm.2001.0513 CrossRefPubMed

Boumba VA, Mitselou A, Vougiouklakis T (2004) Fatal poisoning from ingestion of Datura stramonium seeds. Vet Hum Toxicol 46:81–82 (PMID: 15080209) PubMed

Le Garff E, Delannoy Y, Mesli V, Hédouin V, Tournel G (2016) Forensic features of a fatal Datura poisoning case during a robbery. Forensic Sci Int 261:e17–e21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.02.028 CrossRefPubMed

Ricard F, Abe E, Duverneuil-Mayer C, Charlier P, de la Grandmaison G, Alvarez JC (2012) Measurement of atropine and scopolamine in hair by LC–MS/MS after Datura stramonium chronic exposure. Forensic Sci Int 223:256–260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.09.015 CrossRefPubMed

Beyer J, Drummer OH, Maurer HH (2009) Analysis of toxic alkaloids in body samples. Forensic Sci Int 185:1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2008.12.006 CrossRefPubMed

Lusthof KJ, Bosman IJ, Kubat B, Vincenten-van Maanen MJ (2017) Toxicological results in a fatal and two non-fatal cases of scopolamine-facilitated robberies. Forensic Sci Int 274:79–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.01.024 CrossRefPubMed

Vallersnes OM, Lund C, Duns AK, Netland H, Rasmussen IA (2009) Epidemic of poisoning caused by scopolamine disguised as Rohypnol tablets. Clin Toxicol 47:889–893. https://doi.org/10.3109/15563650903333804 CrossRef

Sandia SI, Ramírez VJ, Piñero AJ, Baptista TT (2017) Treating ‘Devil׳s Breath’ intoxication: use of rivastigmine in six patients with toxic psychoses due to non pharmaceutical scopolamine. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 27:833–834. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2017.05.006 CrossRefPubMed

Winek CL, Wahba WW, Winek CL Jr, Balzer TW (2001) Drug and chemical blood-level data 2001. Forensic Sci Int 122:107–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)00483-2 CrossRefPubMed

10.

Cohen S, Berny C, Meyran S, Mialon A, Manchon M (2003) Intoxication volontaire par une tisane de feuilles de Datura. Ann Toxicol Anal 15:287–291. https://doi.org/10.1051/ata/2003008(in French with English abstract) CrossRef

11.

Nogué S, Sanz P, Munné P, de la Torre R (1991) Acute scopolamine poisoning after sniffing adulterated cocaine. Drug Alcohol Depend 27:115–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/0376-8716(91)90028-W CrossRefPubMed

12.

Hamilton RJ, Perrone J, Hoffman R, Henretig FM, Karkevandian EH, Marcus S, Shih RD, Blok B, Nordenholz K (2000) A descriptive study of an epidemic of poisoning caused by heroin adulterated with scopolamine. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 38:597–608. https://doi.org/10.1081/CLT-100102008 CrossRefPubMed

13.

Nikolaou P, Papoutsis I, Stefanidou M, Dona A, Maravelias C, Spiliopoulou C, Athanaselis S (2012) Accidental poisoning after ingestion of “aphrodisiac” berries: diagnosis by analytical toxicology. J Emerg Med 42:662–665. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2011.03.023 CrossRefPubMed

14.

Chang SS, Wu ML, Deng JF, Lee CC, Chin TF, Liao SJ (1999) Poisoning by Datura leaves used as edible wild vegetables. Vet Hum Toxicol 41:242–245 (PMID: 10434380) PubMed

15.

Şanlıdağ B, Derinöz O, Yıldız N (2014) A case of pediatric age anticholinergic intoxication due to accidental Datura stramonium ingestion admitting with visual hallucination. Turk J Pediatr 56:313–315 (PMID: 25341608) PubMed

16.

Reichert S, Lin C, Ong W, Him CC, Hameed S (2017) Million dollar ride: crime committed during involuntary scopolamine intoxication. Can Fam Physician 63:369–370 (PMID: 28500194) PubMedPubMedCentral

17.

Gomila Muñiz I, Puiguriguer Ferrando J, Quesada Redondo L (2016) Primera confirmación en España del uso de la burundanga en una sumisión química atendida en urgencias. Med Clínica 147:421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medcli.2016.06.025(in Spanish) CrossRef

18.

Sáiz J, Mai TD, López ML, Bartolomé C, Hauser PC, Garcia-Ruiz C (2013) Rapid determination of scopolamine in evidence of recreational and predatory use. Sci Justice 53:409–414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2013.08.001 CrossRefPubMed

19.

Koff M (1966) Poisoning from ingestion of asthma “powders”. JAMA, J Am Med Assoc 198:1034. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1966.03110220118043 CrossRef

20.

Renner UD, Oertel R, Kirch W (2005) Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in clinical use of scopolamine. Ther Drug Monit 27:655–665. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ftd.0000168293.48226.57 CrossRefPubMed

21.

Ahmed S, Sileno AP, deMeireles JC, Dua R, Pimplaskar HK, Xia WJ, Marinaro J, Langenback E, Matos FJ, Putcha L, Romeo VD, Behl CR (2000) Effects of pH and dose on nasal absorption of scopolamine hydrobromide in human subjects. Pharm Res 17:974–977. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007551927177 CrossRefPubMed

22.

Fernández-López L, Falcón Romero M, Prieto-Bonete G, Pérez-Martinez C, Navarro-Zaragoza J, Suarez D, Luna Maldonado A (2018) Improving detection window of scopolamine. Forensic Sci Int 287:e10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.04.011 CrossRefPubMed

23.

Desachy A, François B, Vignon P, Roustan J, Gay R (1997) Une intoxication rare au Datura stramonium: a propos de deux cas. Réanim Urg 6:51–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1164-6756(97)80025-4(in French with English abstract) CrossRef

24.

Balíková M (2002) Collective poisoning with hallucinogenous herbal tea. Forensic Sci Int 128:50–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(02)00162-7 CrossRefPubMed

25.

Marc B, Martis A, Moreau C, Arlie G, Kintz P (1983) Leclerc J (2007) [Acute Datura stramonium poisoning in an emergency department]. Presse Med 36:1399–1403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lpm.2007.04.017(in French with English abstract) CrossRef

26.

Papoutsis I, Nikolaou P, Athanaselis S, Stefanidou M, Pistos C, Spiliopoulou C, Maravelias C (2010) Mass intoxication with Datura innoxia−case series and confirmation by analytical toxicology. Clin Toxicol 48:143–145. https://doi.org/10.3109/15563650903524134 CrossRef

Title: Attempt of scopolamine-facilitated robbery: an original case of poisoning by inhalation confirmed by LC–MS/MS and review of the literature
Authors: Laurène Dufayet
Elizabeth Alcaraz
Jack Dorol
Caroline Rey-Salmon
Jean-Claude Alvarez
Publication date: 01-01-2020
Publisher: Springer Singapore
Keywords: Alkaloids
Intoxication
Alkaloids
Published in: Forensic Toxicology / Issue 1/2020
Print ISSN: 1860-8965
Electronic ISSN: 1860-8973
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11419-019-00492-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Attempt of scopolamine-facilitated robbery: an original case of poisoning by inhalation confirmed by LC–MS/MS and review of the literature

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 1/2020

Solid-phase extraction based on cation-exchange sorbents followed by liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry to determine synthetic cathinones in urine

Metabolism of the benzodiazepines norflurazepam, flurazepam, fludiazepam and cinolazepam by human hepatocytes using high-resolution mass spectrometry and distinguishing their intake in authentic urine samples

Development and validation of a GC–MS/MS method for the determination of 11 amphetamines and 34 synthetic cathinones in whole blood

Identification of the designer benzodiazepine 8-chloro-6-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-methyl-4H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]benzodiazepine (flualprazolam) in an anesthesia robbery case

Toxicokinetic studies of the four new psychoactive substances 4-chloroethcathinone, N-ethylnorpentylone, N-ethylhexedrone, and 4-fluoro-alpha-pyrrolidinohexiophenone

Identification of new NBOH drugs in seized blotter papers: 25B-NBOH, 25C-NBOH, and 25E-NBOH