Citation

Papadodima SA, Athanaselis SA, Spiliopoulou C. Int. J. Clin. Pract. 2007; 61(2): 259-264.

Affiliation

Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1742-1241.2006.01123.x

PMID

17263712

Abstract

Drug-facilitated sexual assaults have drawn a lot of attention during the last years. The role of the non-forensic doctors in the early recognition and management of such cases is crucial. Diagnosis assisted by samplings must be ascertained without delay, in victims initially brought to the emergency room for a sleepy state, a suspected abuse of drug or a pseudo-alcoholic clinical state. Further, where amnesia is present, it may be prudent to assume that sexual activity has occurred and offer pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease prophylaxis. Forensic doctors should entertain the possibility of poisoning in any presentation involving amnesia. Forensic toxicological laboratories should develop sensitive and specific methods to assure a low threshold of detection of the drugs. The awareness of a delinquent or criminal use of alcohol and/or drugs could permit a better medical recognition, so that proper and timely forensic examination is achieved, and adequate evidence is collected for the establishment of an effective investigation and prosecution.

Language: en