Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault

Investigations into reports of drug-facilitated crimes (DFCs) have increased substantially in recent times. These crimes are investigated when an individual reports having been robbed or assaulted while incapacitated due to the effects of a drug, usually a strong central nervous system (CNS) depressant. The CNS depressant prevents the individual from consenting to the action of the perpetrator or fighting off their attacker. The drug, in essence, acts as a weapon for the offender. This article provides information on the manner in which DFCs occur, the drugs that are used to commit these crimes, and means of improving the detection of the drugs through toxicological analyses. Keywords: drug-facilitated crime; DFC; drug-facilitated sexual assault; DFSA