Citation

Stevenson AJ. J. Can. Soc. Forensic Sci. 1980; 13(4): 22-24.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1980, Canadian Society of Forensic Science, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00085030.1980.10757353

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

One of the most difficult tasks required of the forensic toxicologist is the interpretation of drug levels in impaired drivers. Testimony regarding the potential impairing affects of mood altering drugs maybe requested by the court, and the validity of these opinions maybe questioned by the defense attorneys.

In an effort to reduce the proportions of this dilemma, it was decided to accumulate as much information as possible on the levels of drugs in the blood of individuals who were arrested on impaired driving charges after the police officer has seen obvious signs of impairment. It was also considered of interest to include victims of motor vehicle accidents and selected experimental data. A brief survey of the literature reveals a surprising lack of recorded information on drug related impairment.