2012/09/20 by James R. Riches, Robert W. Read, Robin M. Black +2 · 8 citations
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics · Veterinary · Chemistry · #Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis #Veterinary Pharmacology and Anesthesia #Mass Spectrometry Techniques and Applications
paper · pdf · doi:10.1093/jat/bks078
openalex publication_date 2012/09/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/26
On October 26, 2002, Russian Special Forces deployed a chemical aerosol against Chechen terrorists to rescue hostages in the Dubrovka theatre. Its use confirmed Russian military interest in chemicals with effects on personnel and caused 125 deaths through a combination of the aerosol and inadequate medical care. This study provides evidence from liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of extracts of clothing from two British survivors, and urine from a third survivor, that the aerosol comprised a mixture of two anaesthetics--carfentanil and remifentanil--whose relative proportions this study was unable to identify. Carfentanil and remifentanil were found on a shirt sample and a metabolite called norcarfentanil was found in a urine sample. This metabolite probably originated from carfentanil.