NCJ Number
218230
Journal
Forensic Science Communications Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: April 1999 Pages: 1-6
Date Published
April 1999
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the difficulties in investigating drug-facilitated sexual assaults, as well as successful toxicological investigations of drug-facilitated sexual assaults.
Abstract
An overview of recommendations as to what is needed to strengthen an investigation are presented and include: (1) a urine specimen should be collected as quickly as possible from the victim as soon as the crime is reported; (2) as much information as possible should be obtained prior to beginning an analysis, such as what symptoms did the victim describe, how long was the victim unconscious, how much ethanol did the victim consume, and what drugs did the suspect or suspects have available to use; and (3) sensitive assays for the drugs found should be developed and the limitations should be known. Reports of drug-facilitated rape are increasing at an alarming rate. Victims, accused perpetrators, medical professionals, and law enforcement officers are relying on the forensic toxicologist to conduct the best possible testing of the specimens that are available. This paper addresses several common problems encountered in cases of drug-facilitated sexual assault. However, a successful toxicological investigation of drug-facilitated sexual assault cases is dependent upon many factors outside of the control of the forensic toxicologist. References