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Journal article
The prevalence of selected licit and illicit drugs in drug facilitated sexual assaults
Forensic science international. Synergy, Vol.9, 100545
2024
Abstract
Little is known about the prevalence of incapacitating substances present in drug facilitated sexual assaults (DFSA). Presented here is a literature review conducted to provide background information, such as symptoms, exacerbations, and drug interactions, on drugs typically implicated in DFSA, namely gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD), ketamine, diazepam, oxycodone, methamphetamine, and alcohol.
Literature found through Scopus and Pubmed was reviewed to determine the current prevalence of these substances in DFSA with a focus on Australian data.
The global literature revealed that there is a wide variety of substances used in DFSA and the prevalence varied by country. For example, it was found that in Northern Ireland, opioids were most prevalent whereas in France, benzodiazepines were most prevalent. In Australia the review revealed a lack of contemporary data with the most recent report in Victoria using data collected during 2011–2013. The literature also revealed there can be an important difference between self-reported substance use and substances discovered via toxicological analysis. This can be due to the challenges of biological detection, reliability of self-reporting, and the possibility of a substance being introduced to a person's food or drink without their knowledge.
This review highlights the need for the collection and analysis of current data pertaining to DFSA reports and the drugs detected, and due to the constantly evolving picture of both licit and illicit drug use an assessment of the role of prescription medications in DFSA due to drug-drug interactions as well as potential to incapacitate is warranted.
Details
- Title
- The prevalence of selected licit and illicit drugs in drug facilitated sexual assaults
- Authors/Creators
- Marie Lynam - School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, AustraliaDavid Keatley - Murdoch University, Centre for Biosecurity and One HealthGarth Maker - Murdoch University, Centre for Computational and Systems MedicineJohn Coumbaros - Murdoch University, School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences
- Publication Details
- Forensic science international. Synergy, Vol.9, 100545
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V.
- Identifiers
- 991005687458707891
- Copyright
- © 2024 Published by Elsevier B.V.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Computational and Systems Medicine; School of Law and Criminology; School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences; Centre for Biosecurity and One Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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