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The drug impaired driver. Detection and forensic specimen analysis
1Institute for Driver Research and Substance Abuse, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA 15234.
Blutalkohol
|March 1, 1992
Summary
This study screened blood samples from impaired driving suspects, finding cannabinoids in 39% of offenders from one department and Phencyclidine (PCP) in 9.5% from another. Recommendations are provided for processing drug-impaired drivers.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Analytical Chemistry
- Law Enforcement Science
Background:
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI) cases often involve drug impairment.
- Accurate detection of illicit substances in biological samples is crucial for legal proceedings.
- Existing screening methods require adaptation for non-urine matrices like whole blood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect illicit drug use in individuals arrested for driving under the influence.
- To evaluate the prevalence of specific drugs (THC, Cocaine, PCP, Opiates) in DUI offenders.
- To present findings and characteristics of drug-impaired drivers for law enforcement.
Main Methods:
- Whole blood samples collected from DUI-arrested subjects by U.S. Park Police (USPP) and a suburban police department (MLMP).
- Screening of blood samples using an adapted Abuscreen Radioimmunoassay (RIA) for THC, Cocaine, PCP, and Opiates.
- Confirmation of forensic samples using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS).
Main Results:
- 39% of offenders sampled through MLMP exhibited measurable levels of cannabinoids.
- 9.5% of offenders sampled through USPP showed measurable levels of Phencyclidine (PCP).
- Data on drug offender characteristics were compiled and analyzed.
Conclusions:
- Cannabinoids and Phencyclidine are significant substances detected in impaired driving cases.
- The adapted RIA method is effective for screening illicit drugs in whole blood.
- Recommendations are proposed for improved processing of suspected drug-impaired drivers.