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Related Experiment Videos

Phencyclidine blood concentrations in DRE cases

G W Kunsman1, B Levine, A Costantino

  • 1Division of Forensic Toxicology, Armed Force Institute of Pathology, Washington, D.C. 20306-6000, USA.

Journal of Analytical Toxicology
|November 5, 1997
PubMed
Summary

Drug Recognition Experts can identify Phencyclidine (PCP) impairment, with blood tests confirming drug use. Even low PCP levels are detectable through DRE evaluation, validating their expertise.

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Area of Science:

  • Forensic Toxicology
  • Drug Recognition Expertise

Background:

  • Phencyclidine (PCP) is a dissociative drug with significant public health and safety implications.
  • Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) evaluations are used to identify drug impairment in individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the accuracy of DRE evaluations in identifying PCP impairment.
  • To correlate blood PCP concentrations with DRE-assessed impairment.
  • To validate the use of toxicological analysis for corroborating DRE findings.

Main Methods:

  • Blood samples from 259 individuals evaluated by DREs were analyzed for PCP concentration.
  • DRE evaluations were compared with toxicological results to determine accuracy.
  • Statistical analysis was performed to test for correlations between PCP levels and impairment.

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Main Results:

  • 130 out of 259 samples tested positive for PCP via toxicology.
  • DRE evaluations correctly identified PCP use in 124 cases, with 56 confirmed by toxicology.
  • A mean PCP concentration of 51 ng/mL was observed in cases with confirmed PCP use.
  • PCP-induced effects were measurable by DREs even at concentrations as low as 12 ng/mL.

Conclusions:

  • DRE evaluations are effective in identifying PCP impairment, with a low false-positive rate.
  • Toxicological analysis of blood provides objective corroboration for DRE opinions on PCP impairment.
  • While no direct correlation was found between PCP concentration and behavior, DREs can detect PCP-induced effects at low levels.