Forensic challenges in identifying substituted Cathinone’s: A case study from Mumbai region
Author(s): Deepak Y Kudekar, Sandeep O Chetti, Ananada S Kudale and Vijay J Thakare
Abstract: Mephedrone (4-Methylmethcathinone) is a synthetic stimulant of the cathinone class, which has been widely abused in India. The drug included in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985 as a psychotropic substance in year 2015. However, forensic analysis of narcotic drug seizures in Mumbai reveals an alarming trend in drug trafficking. Traffickers have begun synthesizing and distributing substituted cathinone’s, such as 3-Methylmethcathinone, 3-Chloromethcathinone, 4-Methylethcathinone and 2-Methylmethcathinone. Now often these substituted cathinone’s are either adulterated with other pharmaceutical medicine or two or more substituted cathinone’s. This study highlights the forensic challenges faced in distinguishing Mephedrone from these substituted cathinone’s and emphasizes the need for updated legal frameworks and advanced analytical methods.
DOI: 10.33545/27074447.2025.v7.i2a.103Pages: 19-23 | Views: 677 | Downloads: 279Download Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
Deepak Y Kudekar, Sandeep O Chetti, Ananada S Kudale, Vijay J Thakare.
Forensic challenges in identifying substituted Cathinone’s: A case study from Mumbai region. Int J Forensic Med 2025;7(2):19-23. DOI:
10.33545/27074447.2025.v7.i2a.103
