Problems of Forensic Sciences 2006 Vol. 68 (LXVIII) 368-377
EVALUATION OF PRELIMINARY MEDICAL EXAMINATION IN THE ASSESSMENT OF DRUGGED DRIVERS
Piotr ENGELGARDT, Ewa PUFAL, Karol ŚLIWKA
Department of Forensic Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń
Streszczenie
Nowadays, toxicological analysis of blood is the fundamental instrument for assessing whether a person is under the influence of drugs. Before collecting blood samples, such individuals are examined by a doctor. The doctor fills out a special report (form) which is attached to the blood-collection kit. The report covers only simple observations of behaviour and tests, including: evaluating the reactions of the pupils, the Romberg test or picking up objects from the ground. This report is then attached to the blood sample. The authors of this paper decided to evaluate the usefulness and the accuracy of these preliminary medical examinations in the identification of drivers under the influence of drugs acting similarly to alcohol. To this end, we analysed 48 toxicological expert opinions prepared at the Department in the years 2004–2005, commissioned by local law enforcement bodies. Positive results of blood analysis were ascertained in 24 cases (50%). The presence of only one drug was detected in 21 cases, while in 3 cases two drugs were detected. The kind of drug most often detected was amphetamine and its derivatives – 15 cases. Moreover, the presence of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), cocaine, benzodiazepine derivatives and morphine was also ascertained. Only in 6 out of the 24 analyzed cases, did doctors ascertain single deviations (from the norm) in the preliminary medical examinations, on the basis of which the medical doctors concluded that the examined individual could be under the influence of drugs.
Słowa kluczowe
Medical examination; Driving impairment; Drugs.