A forensic aspect on drug facilitated sexual assault

Abstract

Drug Facilitated Sexual Assaults (DFSA) is one of the complex and sensitive cases in a criminal investigation. Cases involving date rape drug has increased exponentially in recent years. Some common drugs used in date rapes cases are Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), Benzodiazepines, Rohypnol, Ketamine (KET), etc. These drugs are either used alone or with combination to facilitate sexual assault/rape. Date rape drugs are generally added to eating or drinking items intending to take advantage of the situation. A date rape drug alters the consciousness, lowers self-control, makes the body physically weak, or inhibit the ability of a person to oppose sexual assault. This paper focuses on drugs used in a date rape scenario, its effect, collection, biological samples, and forensic analysis.