[Drug-facilitated crimes: prospective data collection in a forensic unit in Paris].
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the rate of crimes that are facilitated by the administration of psychoactive products without the victim's knowledge. This study analyzes the cases collected over a two-year period in a forensic unit in Paris.


METHODS
The study covers the period from January 1, 2005 and December /31, 2006. It includes crime victims who consulted for toxicological testing in the forensic unit of the Hôtel Dieu in Paris, after filing a criminal complaint describing symptoms suggestive of chemical submission (amnesia, impaired vigilance or behavior) and whose toxicological tests indicated the presence of a psychoactive product that they had not been aware of taking. The tests used chromatographic techniques on blood, urine, hair, and food or drink residue.


RESULTS
Toxicological testing identified 52 cases of drug-facilitated crimes, primarily for theft and sexual abuse (including rape). The psychoactive products were most often incorporated in drinks, half of them alcoholic beverages. Benzodiazepines accounted for 77% of the cases. Other substances, found more rarely, included antihistamines, neuroleptics, and GHB.


CONCLUSIONS
Appropriate samples must be taken from victims rapidly to enable toxicological analysis. Chromatographic analysis must supplement immunological analysis, which is not sufficiently specific or sensitive. The collection of this information must continue in order to quantify the phenomenon and monitor the emergence of new products.
Questel
Franck
F
Service des Urgences, Unité Médico-Judiciaire, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, F-75004 Paris, France. franck.questel@lrb.aphp.fr
Sec
Isabelle
I
Sicot
Romain
R
Pourriat
Jean-Louis
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002648:Child; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D001569:Benzodiazepines