Article
Chemistry, Analytical
N. Almofti, A. Ballesteros-Gomez, S. Rubio, E. Girela-Lopez
Summary: This study critically reviews the most common specimens and sample treatments/analysis procedures (related to LC-MS/MS) that have been reported in drug-facilitated sexual assault cases in the last decade. The aim is to provide a critical overview and suggest analytical recommendations for suitable analytical strategies in DFSA cases.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Nouman Almofti, Ana Ballesteros-Gomez, Eloy Girela, Soledad Rubio
Summary: A generic single-step extraction method using a supramolecular solvent was developed to extract DFSA substances from hair. The method showed high extraction recovery (>86%) and acceptable matrix effects for 91% of the tested substances. The method detection and quantification limits were lower than the recommended drug cut-off levels for most substances, except for one.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Keiko Sasaki, Noriaki Shima, Tooru Kamata, Akari Ishikawa, Atsushi Nitta, Misato Wada, Shihoko Nakano-Fujii, Hidenao Kakehashi, Takako Sato, Munehiro Katagi
Summary: Quantitative hair analysis of different hypnotics using LC-MS/MS indicated similar incorporation ratios among four benzodiazepines, allowing for estimation of other benzodiazepines with similar structures in hair. However, the distribution of drugs in hair varied depending on hair color, with lipophilic ZP showing a higher incorporation ratio compared to benzodiazepines. The study also demonstrated the application of the data to drug-facilitated sexual assault cases.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Sarah M. R. Wille, Karolien Van Dijck, Antje Van Assche, Vincent Di Fazio, Maria del Mar Ramirez-Fernandez, Vanessa Vanvooren, Nele Samyn
Summary: The study demonstrates that commonly used illicit drugs, psychoactive medicines, and ethanol are more prevalent in drug facilitated sexual assault cases compared to date rape drugs. Systematic toxicological analysis can prove the incapacitation of the victim and increase conviction rates in judicial procedures. However, attention must be paid to sampling delays and obtaining accurate medical information from the alleged victim to improve the interpretation and applicability of toxicological analysis in DFSA cases.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Duoqi Xu, Jiaojiao Ji, Ping Xiang, Hui Yan, Gengli Duan, Min Shen
Summary: The mechanism of estazolam incorporation into hair was investigated, and it was found that estazolam mainly incorporates into the hair bulb region and shows slight fluctuations near the junction of hair roots and shafts. A model using internal temporal markers and temporal intervals accurately estimated the day of estazolam ingestion.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Nouman Almofti, Soledad Gonzalez-Rubio, Ana Ballesteros-Gomez, Eloy Girela, Soledad Rubio
Summary: This study optimized and validated a simple, time-saving, and environmentally friendly sample preparation method using supramolecular solvents (SUPRAS) for the extraction of selected drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) substances from human urine. The method involved stirring, centrifugation, and dilution, and the SUPRAS extracts were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. The method was successfully validated for various DFSA compounds, with high extraction efficiency and acceptable matrix effects, making it suitable for monitoring illegal drugs in DFSA cases by forensic laboratories.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Criminology & Penology
Irantzu Recalde-Esnoz, Pablo Prego-Meleiro, Gemma Montalvo, Hector del Castillo
Summary: In the past two decades, efforts have been made by the scientific community to understand drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA). However, there is still a lack of understanding, especially regarding the opportunistic variant. This systematic review examines the term DFSA from its first appearance in scientific databases to the present day, with a final sample of 19 articles. The results reveal that most assailants are men who know their victims, and the victims are young women under the age of 30. Alcohol is the most commonly involved drug, often used voluntarily, and the majority of assaults occur in private spaces.
TRAUMA VIOLENCE & ABUSE
(2023)
Article
Criminology & Penology
Amanda Champion, Flora Oswald, Cory L. Pedersen
Summary: This study examined the frequency of sexual assault experiences among university women in Canada, finding that individuals who identified as a sexual minority, consumed marijuana, and reported heavier alcohol consumption were at highest risk of sexual victimization.
JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
K. Skov, S. S. Johansen, K. Linnet, M. K. K. Nielsen
Summary: The toxicological findings in DFSA cases are comparable across different countries, with ethanol, cocaine, cannabis being among the most frequently detected substances. Typical DFSA cases primarily involve women in their mid-twenties and an acquaintance as the perpetrator.
EUROPEAN REVIEW FOR MEDICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Criminology & Penology
Alisha C. Salerno-Ferraro, Caroline Erentzen, Regina A. Schuller
Summary: The study examined the experiences of university-aged women with online male-perpetrated sexual harassment, finding that most women received sexually inappropriate messages on online platforms and chose to ignore or delete the content as a response. However, some men persisted with the harassment, leading to women deleting their social media accounts in some cases. The results suggest a need for early intervention and education programs to address this issue.
JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Marc Liautard, Romain Magny, Pascal Houze, Celine Deguette, Elizabeth Alcaraz, Sophia Douaouria, Charlotte Gorgiard, Laurence Labat, L. Dufayet
Summary: Analysis of 100 patients examined at Hotel-Dieu DFM revealed at least one PAS detected in 86% of cases. 32% were classified as probable proactive DFC, with 49% of substances being illicit. The study suggests the need for systematic toxicological analysis in suspected DFC cases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LEGAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Pablo Prego-Meleiro, Gemma Montalvo, Carmen Garcia-Ruiz, Begona Bravo Serrano, Sara Ayuso-Tejedor, Carmen Megia Morales, Oscar Quintela-Jorge
Summary: This study sheds light on previously unexplored contexts, experiences, and victim profiles in drug-facilitated sexual assault cases, including domestic cohabitation, labor, education, healthcare, women trafficking, and the daily life of people with intellectual disabilities. The new working framework applied in analyzing data from the National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences in Madrid from 2012 to 2017 expands the scope of research beyond the limited focus on young women in nightlife and party culture.
JOURNAL OF FORENSIC AND LEGAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Crystal Arndt, Kaitlyn B. Palmquist, Teresa R. Gray
Summary: The presence of acetone in human biological specimens can be due to exogenous administration or endogenous production, influenced by factors such as diabetes, diet, alcoholism, and stress. Drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) cases often show elevated stress levels, leading to increased acetone production. A study conducted at the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences (HCIFS) analyzed DFSA cases from 2019 to 2021, revealing that approximately 11% of the cases had acetone-positive blood or urine specimens, indicating its potential as a biomarker of trauma in forensic toxicology.
JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Rebecca Twinley
Summary: By researching the traumatic experience of woman-to-woman rape and sexual assault, the author suggests that victims should be recognized as the best authorities on how to respond to their own needs. They are the owners and creators of knowledge on this subject matter.
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Sara K. Dempsey, Corissa L. Rodgers, Peter Stout, Dayong Lee
Summary: Drug-facilitated sexual assault cases submitted to Houston Forensic Science Center from 2014 to 2020 were evaluated in terms of toxicological results and associated demographics. Ethanol was the most prevalent substance detected, followed by the combination of ethanol and THC-COOH.
JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Pascal Kintz, Julie Evans, Marion Villain, Vincent Cirimele
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2010)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Pascal Kintz, Julie Evans, Marion Villain, Vincent Cirimele
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2009)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Pascal Kintz, Julie Evans, Marion Villain, Guillaume Salquebre, Vincent Cirimele
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2007)
