Chemical Profiling of Hashish Resin and its Possible Role in Forensic Cases Involving Violence in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Hashish resin is a narcotic prepared from a concentrated extract of cannabis flowers and leaves. It can cause confusion, anxiety, panic, paranoia, and even psychosis. This study's goal was to assess the hazards associated with abuse of hashish resin, its chemical composition and possible role in forensic cases involving violence in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. For this purpose, all forensic cases in Jazan, from January 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively investigated. The data were collected from the OTARR electronic system using the data collecting form. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze the chemical composition of seized hashish. The percentage of cases having positive results for hashish in fatal cases were 1, 2, and 5% and in crime cases these were 29, 26, and 31% in 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. Homicide and suicide were the major manners of death among fatalities involving hashish. More than one-third of the crimes were related to hashish use/abuse. Amphetamine and ethanol were most used drugs in combination with hashish. The average level of THC (the active compound in hashish) in crimes and fatalities was determined. The relationships between chemical composition of seized hashish, mental diseases and violence were investigated and discussed.