Recently the use of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) has increased around the world. As a result, the importance for accurate analysis of SCs in human biological matrices is evident and continues to be especially challenging due to their chemical structures being constantly modified. Many methods have been published recently for the analysis of SCs in human biological samples. This review provides an overview of the analytical methods used for the analysis of SCs and their metabolites in biological specimens with a special focus on chromatographic analysis and sample preparation.Liquid chromatography assay is the most commonly used for confirmation purposes of SCs and their metabolites in biological matrices. In blood and oral fluid, analysis of SCs must be very sensitive. In urine, SCs have extensive metabolism pathways; therefore the main target compounds are their hydroxyl and carboxyl metabolites, which is important to recognise when establishing clinical and forensic toxicology analytical methods.

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The usage of new psychoactive substance (NPS), particularly synthetic cannabinoids (SCs), has blasted at extraordinary pace in recent years universally. A quite number of these drugs has more toxic consequence than Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Due to their enhanced strength and uncontrolled dose, these drugs might cause critical clinical consequences. The toxicological finding of SCs from two postmortem cases in Scotland with suspected intake of SCs, is presented in this research. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to analyze the samples after a basic liquid extraction. A total of twenty SCs were included in this method; 5F-AKB-48 was positive in both cases. Although there is inadequate evidence to link blood 5F-AKB-48 concentration to effect in additional to the lack of other rational interpretations, the drugs should be counted as the causative case of death based on history and circumstances, as well as toxicological data. Consequently, SCs appear to be more toxic than cannabis because of their increased potency and dose, which might result to overdose and catastrophic clinical effects. Under specific conditions, the acute toxic effects may contribute to death.