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Drug-facilitated Sexual Assault: Rohypnol, the New Rave in Rape

NCJ Number
195396
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 29 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2002 Pages: 64,66-68,70
Author(s)
Julie Vogel
Date Published
May 2002
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This overview of drug-facilitated (Rohypnol) sexual assault addresses who uses the drug, how to obtain evidence, and what can be done to prevent this form of sexual assault.
Abstract
The brand name for the drug flunitrazepam, a member of the benzodiazepene family of medicine, is Rohypnol. It is a sleeping pill and preanesthetic used in Mexico, Europe, South America, and Asia. Like Valium, Rohypnol is a tranquilizer, only 10 times more potent. It is illegal to prescribe it in the United States. Because Rohypnol impairs judgment and motor skills, victims of sexual assault who have been given the drug are physically unable to resist the attack. Effects are even stronger when combined with alcohol, because it causes memory loss, blackouts, and disinhibition. Rohypnol takes about 30 minutes to take effect, and the effects can last up to 8 hours, with blackouts lasting from 8 to 24 hours. Because of its effects and the fact that it is tasteless, colorless, and odorless, Rohypnol is the drug of choice to facilitate rape. Many of these cases do not produce sufficient forensic evidence, because victims fail to report being assaulted due to their memory loss, or they do not recognize the signs of drug-facilitated sexual assault. When they do report the assault, it is often too late or very difficult for law enforcement to obtain evidence. In order to detect whether or not a drug was used to sexually assault a victim, urine and blood samples should be taken and analyzed. Two urine sample should be taken within the first 48 to 72 hours of the assault. Once the sample has been taken, the metabolites of Rohypnol will stay in the urine sample. Always take a blood sample; however, Rohypnol will stay in the blood for only the first 24 hours. Also, obtain a search warrant with the hope of finding evidence of assault or drug usage. Finally, use a pretext phone call to the suspect in the hope of obtaining incriminating statements. Prevention efforts should include a comprehensive community response, including new protocols for hospitals, police departments, and crime labs; updated rape evidence kits; training for police officers, prosecutors, rape crisis centers, and other victim service providers; public policy and legislative reforms; research; and public education and prevention programs.