Forensic Sciences· 2026Q2
MDPHP in Post-Mortem Tissues and Necrophagous Larvae After Advanced Decomposition: LC-HRMS Findings and Tentative Phase-I Metabolites
- 0citations
- Q2SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
MDPHP and potential phase-I metabolites were detected in post-mortem solid tissues and necrophagous larvae from a decomposed adult, using LC-HRMS, offering complementary evidence when blood analysis is not feasible.
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Key points
- MDPHP was detected in brain (0.45 ng/mg), liver (0.75 ng/mg), and kidney (2.44 ng/mg) of a decomposed adult.
- MDPHP was also detected in four separate groups of necrophagous larvae, with values ranging from <0.06 to 1.58 ng/mg.
- Tentative signals for phase-I metabolites (M3.1, M5.2, M9.1) were identified in one larval extract.
- All tissue and larval concentrations are semiquantitative due to a lack of matrix-specific validation.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Background/Objectives: 3,4-Methylenedioxy-alpha-pyrrolidinohexanophenone (MDPHP) is a pyrrolidinophenone synthetic cathinone whose post-mortem interpretation is particularly difficult when advanced decomposition prevents blood-based toxicology. This case report examined instrument-derived semiquantitative MDPHP values in solid tissues and necrophagous larvae and assessed the complementary evidential value of larval matrices. Methods: Post-mortem computed tomography, complete autopsy, histology, and liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) were performed in an adult decedent found in advanced decomposition. Brain, liver, kidney, and four separately collected larval groups were analyzed using a procedure previously validated in blood but not validated in tissues or larvae. Results: No fatal traumatic lesion was identified. Pulmonary edema and myocardial fibrofatty replacement were documented. Instrument-derived semiquantitative MDPHP values were 0.45 ng/mg in brain, 0.75 ng/mg in liver, and 2.44 ng/mg in kidney; the four larval groups yielded <0.06, 0.43, 1.58, and 0.22 ng/mg, respectively. These values are exploratory and semiquantitative because matrix-specific validation data are unavailable. The Larvae III extract also showed signals tentatively assigned to M3.1, M5.2, and M9.1. Conclusions: Necrophagous larvae preserved evidence of MDPHP exposure and phase-I metabolite signals. The findings do not establish validated quantitative concentrations, a lethal threshold, or a tissue-to-larva relationship. In the integrated medicolegal context, MDPHP intoxication remained a plausible contributor, but causal interpretation was limited by the single-case design, decomposition, underlying myocardial pathology, absence of conventional matrices, and lack of tissue- and larva-specific method validation.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Forensic Sciences, 2026 · DOI ↗
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ToxicologyPharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics