Interview Guide: Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault


This tool is designed as an aid for interviewing apparent victims of drug-facilitated sexual assault. All of the symptoms listed could have causes other than the drugs listed in this chart, and each of the drugs may manifest symptoms different than noted below depending on the peculiar combination of drug (if any), other medicines or drugs consumed, and individual body chemistry. So use caution/discretion when using the guide, and be sure to consult an expert as part of your case prep. Last updated 17 Dec 2003.

 

 

INTERVIEW / ANALYSIS AID

POTENTIAL
DRUG-FACILITATED RAPE

 

Drugs >>>

 

Symptoms /

Indicators

\/

\/

ROHYPNOL

 

 

GHB

KETAMINE

OTHERS

VICTIM REPORTS

Deep Sleep / Coma

 

 

X (high doses)

 

 

 

Euphoria

 

 

X

(low doses)

X

 

 

Drowsiness

 

X

 

 

 

 

Memory impairment

 

X

 

X

(including vivid, unpleasant dreams following
intoxication)

 

 

Slurred speech

 

X

 

 

 

 

Inability to speak

 

X

 

 

 

 

Inability to move / lack of motor control

 

X

 

 

 

 

Impaired Judgment / Disinhibition

 

X

X

(low doses)

 

 

 

Apnea

 

 

 

X

(following rapid intravenous administration of high
doses)

 

 

 

Aggressive, combative behavior

 

 

X

(while unconscious)

X

(similar to PCP)

 

 

Delusions

 

 

X

 

 

 

Visual sense affected

 

X

 

Diplopia (double vision); Nystagmus (shaking/wobbling of
eyes) also noted

 

Burundanga

 

Touch sense affected

 

 

Enhanced

 

 

 

Sexual awareness heightened

 

 

X

 

 

 

Increased heartrate

 

 

 

X

 

 

Seizure

 

X

 

X

 

 

 

Tremors

 

X

X

 

 

 

Gagging

 

X

 

 

 

 

Nausea/vomiting

 

 

 

X

 

 

Hypersalivation

 

 

 

X

 

 

Numbness / tingling of extremities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hypersensitivity to noise

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hypersensitivity to light

 

 

 

 

 

 

Headache

 

X

 

X

 

 

Dizziness

 

X

 

X

 

 

Confusion

 

X

 

 

 

 

Dissociation (“Out of body,” near-death sensation)

 

 

 

X

“dissociative anesthesia”

Burundanga (may believe they are dreaming while in fact
experiencing reality)

 

 

Hallucinations

 

 

 

X

Burundanga

 

Substance Quality

Odorless, tasteless,
although recently manufactured batches in some countries (legally produced by
Hoffmann-LaRoche) have abuse prevention qualities: turns blue when dissolved
in alcohol.

 

White, dime-sized pill,
scored center, “ROCHE” printed on one side.

 

Dissolves quickly and
completely

 

White powder; may be sold mixed with water.

 

Heavier than water; dissolves quickly and completely.

 

Often homemade, with varying degrees of potency.

Looks similar to high-grade cocaine.

 

Available in a liquid form.

 

Produced commercially, diverted to illegal use.

Burundanga: tasteless; highly soluble; reportedly may be
blown into victims face; primarily in Northeast.

 

Onset of effects

Within 20 minutes, intoxication

 

Within 1 hour, incapacitation

 

5-15 minutes

As early as 15 seconds

 

 

Duration of effects

Up to 2 days

 

 

Days

1 hour (major effects); lingering effects 18-24 hours

 

 

 

Detection Window

 

24-36 hours (in urine)

12 hours

(in urine)

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCES:

 

Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and
Education: Sexual Assault; Chapter 8: Drugs Used in Sexual Assault; http://www.utexas.edu/cee/dec/tcleose/assault/chapter8.html.
(26 Nov 2003).

 

Toxicity, Gamma-Hyrdoxybutyrate, Scott Cameron MD; http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic848.htm.
(26 Nov 2003).

 

Flunitrazepam; Clinical Toxicology Review Vol. 20, No. 7,
April 1998; http://www.maripoisoncenter.com/ctr/9804flunitrazepam.html.
(26 Nov 2003).

 

Ketamine HCI, http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic3/ketamine_cp.htm;
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic3/ketamine_ad.htm
(17 Dec 2003).