Mystery Story Stuff?-Hydroxybutyric Acid

Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is a small molecule, which can be analyzed by mass spectrometry coupled to gas chromatography or liquid chromatography. Forensic toxicologists have to take three obstacles with respect to the intake of GHB. Firstly, this molecule is part of the human metabolome, secondly, it can be built or degraded after death, and thirdly, the elimination half-life is rather short. Consequently, forensic toxicologists have set a threshold for the measured GHB concentration to judge for an acute GHB intake. As GHB is a narcotic agent, users often take gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL) or 1,4-Butandiol (BD). These precursors are easily obtainable and metabolized very fast to GHB. Two case reports present typical forensic toxicological outcomes. In particular, the second case report shows that hair analysis may be a useful tool to make a statement regarding the frequent abuse.