Drug facilitated sexual assault using an over-the-counter ocular solution containing tetrahydrozoline (Visine)

Leg Med (Tokyo). 2007 Jul;9(4):192-5. doi: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2007.01.005. Epub 2007 Feb 22.

Abstract

Drug facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) has been defined as sexual activity occurring where consent is invalid or absent due to the effects of drugs and or alcohol. We report the use of a commonly available over-the-counter drug to induce an obtunded compliant victim with no memory of the period during the sexual assault. An adult male repeatedly used tetrahydrozoline to induce a comatose state in an adult female and four female children for the purposes of sexual assault. It may be warranted to include imidazoline derivatives in the testing for cases of DFSA.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / administration & dosage
  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / pharmacology
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child Abuse, Sexual*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / administration & dosage*
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • Imidazolines / administration & dosage
  • Imidazolines / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Nonprescription Drugs
  • Ophthalmic Solutions / administration & dosage*
  • Ophthalmic Solutions / pharmacology
  • Rape*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
  • Imidazoles
  • Imidazolines
  • Nonprescription Drugs
  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • tetrahydrozoline