Historique
Article de Périodique
Drug-facilitated crime: A review of findings between 2019 and 2023 (2025)
Auteur(s) :
HESSLER, M. R. ;
KACINKO, S. L. ;
LOGAN, B. K.
Année
2025
Page(s) :
2442-2464
Langue(s) :
Anglais
Domaine :
Alcool / Alcohol ; Drogues illicites / Illicit drugs
Discipline :
PRO (Produits, mode d'action, méthode de dépistage / Substances, action mode, screening methods)
Thésaurus mots-clés
CRIMINALITE
;
PRODUIT ILLICITE
;
TOXICOLOGIE
;
DEPISTAGE
;
SANG
;
URINE
;
MEDICAMENTS
;
OPIOIDES
;
BENZODIAZEPINES
;
ALCOOL
;
EVOLUTION
;
POLYCONSOMMATION
;
ABUS SEXUEL
Thésaurus géographique
ETATS-UNIS
Note générale :
Presented at the 77th Annual Scientific Conference of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 17-22, 2025, in Baltimore, MD
Résumé :
Drug-facilitated crime (DFC) is a criminal act (e.g., assault, robbery, or sexual assault) in which the perpetrator uses drugs to impair the victim's ability to resist, remember, or recognize the crime being committed. Ethanol is commonly implicated in DFC casework, but limited data are published on other substances currently implicated in these crimes. DFC cases submitted to a large forensic reference laboratory between 2019 and 2023 were analyzed. Analytes and combinations were evaluated based on effect class. In total, 2371 blood samples and 5,041 urine samples were tested for common alcohols, GHB, and a variety of illicit and prescription medications. The most prevalent drug classes were cannabinoids (delta-9-THC/delta-9-THCCOOH), ethanol, and stimulants, with delta-9 THC/metabolites being most prevalent in both matrices, followed closely by ethanol. The stimulant drug class's most prevalent analytes include methamphetamine, cocaine/cocaine metabolites, and amphetamine. Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and flunitrazepam were infrequently detected. Polydrug combination data showed similar trends to when substances were identified alone, specifically that ethanol, cannabinoids, or a stimulant were often found in combination. Sedating substances were more prevalent than stimulating substances, specifically benzodiazepines and antihistamines. Polydrug data support urine collection in DFC cases, as they identified analytes in 22% of cases with negative blood toxicology. Recent literature notes novel psychoactive substances, including designer benzodiazepines, being detected in DFC cases globally, and recommends their inclusion in comprehensive DFC scopes. It is imperative that the appropriate matrix, scope, and limitations be evaluated to accurately determine trends, and scopes are continuously updated to capture the ever-changing drug market. [Author's abstract]
Highlights:
DFC is underreported; thus, drug positivity in these cases is underestimated.
Public perceptions of drugs in DFC cases often differ from the substances detected in cases.
Most positive DFC cases involve multiple substances, stressing the need for comprehensive testing.
Drug trends in DFC cases, including by age, must be understood to better aid investigations.
Paired matrices support urine as the best matrix for DFC cases.
Highlights:
DFC is underreported; thus, drug positivity in these cases is underestimated.
Public perceptions of drugs in DFC cases often differ from the substances detected in cases.
Most positive DFC cases involve multiple substances, stressing the need for comprehensive testing.
Drug trends in DFC cases, including by age, must be understood to better aid investigations.
Paired matrices support urine as the best matrix for DFC cases.
Affiliation :
Toxicology, NMS Labs, Horsham, Pennsylvania, USA