Colchicine Extract Suicidal Lethal Poisoning Confirmation Using High-Resolution Accurate Mass Spectrometry: A Case Study

• Ludovit Schreiber ^[1] ; Martin Morovič ^[2] ; Katarína Spacayová ^[3] ; Radoslav Halko ^[1]
  1. [1] Comenius University

     Comenius University

     Eslovaquia

     
  2. [2] Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra

     Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra

     Eslovaquia

     
  3. [3] Health Care Surveillance Authority, Forensic and Toxicology Department. Slovakia

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• Localización: Journal of forensic sciences, ISSN-e 1556-4029, ISSN 0022-1198, Vol. 64, Nº. 4, 2019, págs. 1274-1280
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • A case of suspected acute and lethal intoxication caused by colchicine has been reported. The woman was hospitalized after her suspicion of suicidal poisoning by a rare autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale). Suspected colchicine poisoning was confirmed using a novel UHPLC method with a modern reversed-phase stationary phase with a sub 2-micron superficial porous particle size combined with a QTOF mass spectrometer. Sample preparation procedure included the addition of propiverine as internal standard, protein precipitation using methanol and solid phase extraction. High-resolution MS only and targeted MS/MS modes are reported for the qualitative analysis and screening of other potential drugs of abuse in blood samples. All Ion MS mode was used for quantitative determination of colchicine afterward. The concentration of colchicine in the blood sample was approximately 41 ng/mL, and more than 200lg/mL of the plant extract used for the suicide.