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MDMB-FUBINACA (aka MDMB(N)-Bz-F), chemical name Methyl (S)-2-(1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamido)-3,3-dimethylbutanoate, a designer drug or a new psychoactive substance (NPS), was identified in three commercially available e-liquids formulated for electronic cigarette use. The e-liquids were evaluated using direct analysis in real time ion source attached to a time of flight mass spectrometer (DART-MS) and gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC-MS) to identify active ingredients/drugs, flavorants, and other possible constituents. The e-liquids were also evaluated for alcohol content by headspace gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (HS-GC-FID). The aerosol produced from the e-liquids by use of an e-cigarette was analyzed by solid phase micro-extraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) to ensure delivery of the active ingredient/drug. Propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, MDMB-FUBINACA, alcohol content and a flavor profile were determined for each of the e-liquids. MDMB-FUBINACA was determined to be the major active ingredient in all three e-liquids and was successfully detected by SPME-GC-MS in the aerosol generated by a KangerTech Aerotank clearomizer/electronic cigarette., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Three gas chromatographic procedures for the determination of ethanol in postmortem blood using alternative internal standards to n-propanol are presented: a direct injection procedure using t-butanol, and two headspace methods using t-butanol and methyl ethyl ketone. t-Butanol and methyl ethyl ketone were well resolved from ethanol, acetone, methanol and other commonly observed putrefactive volatiles using direct injection or headspace analysis. CVs for the direct injection method were below 5% for ethanol and below 10% for the other volatiles. The lower limits of detection (LOD) were 25-50 mg/L. The CVs for the headspace methods were below 5% for ethanol and below 6% for the other volatiles. The LODs were 10 mg/L using either t-butanol or methyl ethyl ketone as internal standards. The use of t-butanol or methyl ethyl ketone as alternatives to n-propanol avoids the possibility of error in the quantitation of ethanol due to the presence of n-propanol and allows for the identification of other volatiles that may aid in distinguishing antemortem ingestion from postmortem production of ethanol.