<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>A target screening method for the detection of 13 synthetic cannabinoids in whole blood was developed and validated. Samples
underwent automated solid-phase extraction, and sample extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography-positive electrospray
ionization-tandem mass spectrometry using two transitions in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The limit of detection was between
0.1-2.5 ng/mL for the compounds except HU-210, and extraction recovery ranged from 59 to 78%. The method was used to screen 393
Danish traffic cases from 2012, where the driver was suspected of driving under the influence of drugs. No synthetic cannabinoids were
identified in these samples. Additionally, the method was applied to a clinical intoxication case, and the synthetic cannabinoid AM-
2201 was identified in serum. We conclude that the prevalence of driving under the influence of synthetic cannabinoids in Denmark is
likely to be low, and that synthetic cannabinoids are most likely to be encountered in the clinical setting.</p></abstract>

A target screening method for the detection of 13 synthetic cannabinoids in whole blood was developed and validated. Samples
underwent automated solid-phase extraction, and sample extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography-positive electrospray
ionization-tandem mass spectrometry using two transitions in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The limit of detection was between
0.1-2.5 ng/mL for the compounds except HU-210, and extraction recovery ranged from 59 to 78%. The method was used to screen 393
Danish traffic cases from 2012, where the driver was suspected of driving under the influence of drugs. No synthetic cannabinoids were
identified in these samples. Additionally, the method was applied to a clinical intoxication case, and the synthetic cannabinoid AM-
2201 was identified in serum. We conclude that the prevalence of driving under the influence of synthetic cannabinoids in Denmark is
likely to be low, and that synthetic cannabinoids are most likely to be encountered in the clinical setting.

Screening of Danish traffic cases for synthetic cannabinoids 
in whole blood by LC-MS/MS

Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V’s Vej 11, 3. DK-2100, Denmark

Department of Anaesthesiology, The Danish Poisons Information Center, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, DK-2400, Denmark

Scandinavian Journal of Forensic Science

A target screening method for the detection of 13 synthetic cannabinoids in whole blood was developed and validated. Samples
underwent automated solid-phase...

Screening of Danish traffic cases for synthetic cannabinoids in whole blood by LC-MS/MS

Published Online: Dec 31, 2013

Page range: 45 - 51

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sjfs-2013-0008

Keywords
Forensic drug screening, driving under the influence of drugs, synthetic cannabinoids, clinical case, intoxication, AM-2201

This content is open access.