Unusual Case of Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault using Chloroform

Abstract

Despite its well-known sedative properties, chloroform is rarely used for drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) as its administration cannot be achieved without the victim's knowledge: we report an unusual case of DFSA using this solvent. A 26-year-old woman declared that her partner get her to sleep using chloroform the previous night. When she waked up at 3 am, her hands were tied. She immediately suspected violence and sexual penetration. Toxicological blood screening using a liquid chromatography-electrospray coupled tandem mass spectrometry method highlighted the presence of bamifylline and theophylline, two therapeutics of asthma. A screening method for volatile substances using a headspace-gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry method showed (i) the presence of chloroform in blood at a concentration subsequently estimated at 580 µg/L using an external calibration, and (ii) chloroform traces on a piece of a scarf brought by the patient and suspected to have been used to put her to sleep. These results were consistent with an exposure to chloroform by inhalation and demonstrate that there is no limit in the use of chemical weapons in DFSA.

The Use of Volatile Substances in Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault: A Systematic Review

“…All the included studies are discussed here with regard to the drug being used, but only two (n=2) have reported on the source of the drug [ 13 , 16 ] (Table 2 ).…”

“…Three of the included studies mention the use of chloroform for the purpose of DFSA [ 13 , 16 , 17 ]. Richeval et al reported that chloroform is a controlled substance in France and is difficult to obtain.…”

“…Richeval et al reported that chloroform is a controlled substance in France and is difficult to obtain. Therefore, it was suspected that the offender acquired the drug from a research laboratory as he was a Ph.D. student in chemistry [ 13 ]. Similarly, the offender in the case report by Gaillard et al was speculated to have procured the chloroform from his company, since a 2.5-liter chloroform bottle was found opened at his workplace [ 16 ].…”

“…Two (n=2) out of the five included studies provided data on the identity of the offender [ 13 , 16 ] (Table 3 ).…”

“…These compounds provoke the central nervous system's (CNS) depression and sedation like alcohol [ 12 ]. This form of DFSA is difficult to pursue without the victim’s knowledge of being assaulted, making it an unusual choice by a perpetrator [ 13 ]. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to analyze and explore the use of volatile substances for the purpose of DFSA.…”