Date Rape Drugs in Las Vegas: Detection After the Fact [11I

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Date rape drugs (DRDs) are drugs which can be used to conduct drug-facilitated sexual assault. The three major drugs classified by the U.S Department of Health & Human Services misused for this purpose are Rohypnol (Flunitrazepam), Gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and Ketamine. Existing studies in the literature analyze self-reported incidents in women which likely underestimate the prevalence of this problem. Our study aimed to evaluate how frequently there was clinical or criminal suspicion of DRD use prior to autopsy evaluation in a group of deceased DRD positive women. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of all female decedents aged 20-55 who tested positive for Flunitrazepam, GHB and Ketamine referred to the Clark County medical examiner from 2000-2015. Medical records, police report, and autopsy findings were reviewed. All decedents underwent standard toxicology screening from whole blood toxicology analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using student t-test for continuous variables and chi-square for categorical variables. RESULTS: 23 women referred to the Clark County medical examiner tested positive for DRDs. At autopsy 6 women were positive for Rohypnol, 15 for GHB, and 2 for ketamine. After clinical, autopsy and police report review, 74% of 17/23 women had no clinical suspicion of DRD involvement at the time of death. Specifically, 83% (n=5) women had no suspicion of flunitrazepam use prior to toxicology results. CONCLUSION: Only a small minority of cases raised suspicion of DRD use upon police or clinical assessment. DRD use may be more prevalent in society than previously thought posing a significant public health threat.