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Criminal activity and crack addiction
Journal of Clinical Forensic Medicine (1995) 2, 223-226 © APS/Pearson Professional Ltd 1995
JOURNAL OFi
-dC hq )J.- I
FORENSIC 1
LITERATURE CITATION
Criminal activity and crack addiction
Radioimmunoassay of hair for determination of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana exposure: comparison with self-report
N. S. Miller, M. S. Gold. University of Illinois at Chicago, IL, a n d University of Florida, FL, U S A
R. H i n d i n , J. M c C u s k e r , M. Vickers-Lahti, A. C. Bigelow, F. Garfield, B. Lewis University o f Massachusetts, M A , U S A
The aim of the authors in this study was to examine the association of criminal behaviour specifically with 'crack' use. Previous studies have noted the association between criminal activity to obtain and sell cocaine. In January 1990, self-referred callers from a single site in the Northeastern US, enquiring about possible cocaine problems, were examined in a structured telephone interview. 'Crack' addicts in the study resembled the demographic characteristics of a middle-class suburban population more than the typical urban addict and 25% of them began with 'crack', bypassing the powder forms of cocaine and initial cocaine use or addiction. The high cost of supporting an active 'crack' addiction was reflected in the predominance of robbery as the typical crime. Daily 'crack' users spent more for the drug, were less employed and educated, more apt to commit a felony, to be arrested and to sell the drug. Severity of use and addiction, as measured by daily use, showed a significant association with psychosocial variables. This study will be of interest to police drug squads, those manning drugs rehabilitation clinics, forensic practitioners, criminologists, community psychiatric nurses and social workers.
The authors compared radioimmunoassay with self-report for cocaine, heroin and marijuana in two populations, the technique allowing documentation of prior drug use over lengthier time intervals than was previously possible with using other biomarkers viz. blood and urine. The level of drugs detected by radioimmunoassay differed by gender, living situations and hair styles. The study demonstrated that self-report is an important criterion against which to confirm radioimmunoassay of hair (RIAH) tests for cocaine and heroin use as well as identifying implications for situations in which drug use documentation is sought viz. research, therapeutics, the work place, armed forces and criminal justice system. Caution is expressed regarding the need for adequate RIAH field testing for cocaine and a refining of RIAH for heroin and the ethical considerations of informed consent and quality control standards due to incomplete knowledge on hair growth and the laying down of drugs. This paper will interest forensic scientists, clinicians and all those involved with drug detoxiflcation - follow-up and rehabilitation.
International Journal of the Addictions 1994; 29(8): 1069-1078
International Journal of the Addictions 1994; 29(6): 771 789
Testing reckless drivers for cocaine and marijuana D. Brookoff, C. S. Cook, C. Williams, C. S. M a n n University of Tennesee at M e m p h i s a n d the M e m p h i s Police D e p a r t m e n t , TN, U S A
Identifying oral lesions associated with crack cocaine use
In 1993, a consecutive-sample study using a rapid urine test to identify reckless drivers under the influence of cocaine or marijuana, but not alcohol, was carried out by the Police Department in Memphis, USA - population 690000. All of the 175 drivers stopped, underwent a standard evaluation used by the police for those suspected of driving under the influence of an intoxicant and two measured aliquots of 200 gl of urine were used for the test which identified metabolites of the two drugs, the results being available in 10 minutes. Over half of those tested were under the influence of drugs, and the study highlights the usefulness of combining toxicological tests with clinical assessment of intoxication in selected situations. As traffic accidents are the greatest single cause of death in the 5-32-year-old age group in the US, and most are due to intoxicated drivers, the authors consider that programmes of drug testing, such as theirs, could be useful in preventing traffic injuries and deter drug use. The aims, methods and results outlined in this paper will provide a useful area for discussion and ideas for police departments, forensic physicians and scientists, legislators and all those concerned with road safety.
D. A. Mitchell-Lewis, J. A. Phelan, R. B. Kelly, J. J. Bradley, I. B. L a m s t e r C o l o m b i a University, N e w York; N e w Y o r k Police Department, NY, USA The authors note the association of 'crack' with increased risk of HIV infection and indicate the relation between smoking free-base cocaine and lesions of the teeth, mouth, oropharynx, laryngopharynx, tongue and epiglottis. They describe palatal lesions associated with the use of crack cocaine not previously reported. As part of another study, a 6 monthly concurrent comprehensive oral examination was performed on a cohort of intravenous drug users and the hard palate lesions of four cases are illustrated in colour. The macroscopic appearances are described and the concomitant presence of candidiasis is noted. Extreme heat of the smoke, inhaled directly through a pipe possibly combined with its chemical content, is thought by the authors to be causal factors. They report on the presence of changes in the minor salivary glands and duct orifices which are usually associated with tobacco smoking to which substance their cases were also addicted. Odontologlsts and medical clinicians in many disciplines will read this paper with interest.
New England Journal of Medicine 1994; 331:518-522
In utero paternity testing following alleged sexual assault. A comparison of DNA-based methods
Journal of the American Dental Association 1994; 125:1104-1t09
H. A. H a m m o n d , J. B. R e d m a n , C. T. Caskey Baylor College o f Medicine, H o u s t o n , TX, U S A Smnmaries by R. Derbyshire, UK.
A.
A.
R.
Lawrence,
Forensic Physician,
The authors note the frequent association of sexual assault with violent crime and that the estimated true incidence annually is ten 223
JOURNAL OFi
-dC hq )J.- I
FORENSIC 1
LITERATURE CITATION
Criminal activity and crack addiction
Radioimmunoassay of hair for determination of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana exposure: comparison with self-report
N. S. Miller, M. S. Gold. University of Illinois at Chicago, IL, a n d University of Florida, FL, U S A
R. H i n d i n , J. M c C u s k e r , M. Vickers-Lahti, A. C. Bigelow, F. Garfield, B. Lewis University o f Massachusetts, M A , U S A
The aim of the authors in this study was to examine the association of criminal behaviour specifically with 'crack' use. Previous studies have noted the association between criminal activity to obtain and sell cocaine. In January 1990, self-referred callers from a single site in the Northeastern US, enquiring about possible cocaine problems, were examined in a structured telephone interview. 'Crack' addicts in the study resembled the demographic characteristics of a middle-class suburban population more than the typical urban addict and 25% of them began with 'crack', bypassing the powder forms of cocaine and initial cocaine use or addiction. The high cost of supporting an active 'crack' addiction was reflected in the predominance of robbery as the typical crime. Daily 'crack' users spent more for the drug, were less employed and educated, more apt to commit a felony, to be arrested and to sell the drug. Severity of use and addiction, as measured by daily use, showed a significant association with psychosocial variables. This study will be of interest to police drug squads, those manning drugs rehabilitation clinics, forensic practitioners, criminologists, community psychiatric nurses and social workers.
The authors compared radioimmunoassay with self-report for cocaine, heroin and marijuana in two populations, the technique allowing documentation of prior drug use over lengthier time intervals than was previously possible with using other biomarkers viz. blood and urine. The level of drugs detected by radioimmunoassay differed by gender, living situations and hair styles. The study demonstrated that self-report is an important criterion against which to confirm radioimmunoassay of hair (RIAH) tests for cocaine and heroin use as well as identifying implications for situations in which drug use documentation is sought viz. research, therapeutics, the work place, armed forces and criminal justice system. Caution is expressed regarding the need for adequate RIAH field testing for cocaine and a refining of RIAH for heroin and the ethical considerations of informed consent and quality control standards due to incomplete knowledge on hair growth and the laying down of drugs. This paper will interest forensic scientists, clinicians and all those involved with drug detoxiflcation - follow-up and rehabilitation.
International Journal of the Addictions 1994; 29(8): 1069-1078
International Journal of the Addictions 1994; 29(6): 771 789
Testing reckless drivers for cocaine and marijuana D. Brookoff, C. S. Cook, C. Williams, C. S. M a n n University of Tennesee at M e m p h i s a n d the M e m p h i s Police D e p a r t m e n t , TN, U S A
Identifying oral lesions associated with crack cocaine use
In 1993, a consecutive-sample study using a rapid urine test to identify reckless drivers under the influence of cocaine or marijuana, but not alcohol, was carried out by the Police Department in Memphis, USA - population 690000. All of the 175 drivers stopped, underwent a standard evaluation used by the police for those suspected of driving under the influence of an intoxicant and two measured aliquots of 200 gl of urine were used for the test which identified metabolites of the two drugs, the results being available in 10 minutes. Over half of those tested were under the influence of drugs, and the study highlights the usefulness of combining toxicological tests with clinical assessment of intoxication in selected situations. As traffic accidents are the greatest single cause of death in the 5-32-year-old age group in the US, and most are due to intoxicated drivers, the authors consider that programmes of drug testing, such as theirs, could be useful in preventing traffic injuries and deter drug use. The aims, methods and results outlined in this paper will provide a useful area for discussion and ideas for police departments, forensic physicians and scientists, legislators and all those concerned with road safety.
D. A. Mitchell-Lewis, J. A. Phelan, R. B. Kelly, J. J. Bradley, I. B. L a m s t e r C o l o m b i a University, N e w York; N e w Y o r k Police Department, NY, USA The authors note the association of 'crack' with increased risk of HIV infection and indicate the relation between smoking free-base cocaine and lesions of the teeth, mouth, oropharynx, laryngopharynx, tongue and epiglottis. They describe palatal lesions associated with the use of crack cocaine not previously reported. As part of another study, a 6 monthly concurrent comprehensive oral examination was performed on a cohort of intravenous drug users and the hard palate lesions of four cases are illustrated in colour. The macroscopic appearances are described and the concomitant presence of candidiasis is noted. Extreme heat of the smoke, inhaled directly through a pipe possibly combined with its chemical content, is thought by the authors to be causal factors. They report on the presence of changes in the minor salivary glands and duct orifices which are usually associated with tobacco smoking to which substance their cases were also addicted. Odontologlsts and medical clinicians in many disciplines will read this paper with interest.
New England Journal of Medicine 1994; 331:518-522
In utero paternity testing following alleged sexual assault. A comparison of DNA-based methods
Journal of the American Dental Association 1994; 125:1104-1t09
H. A. H a m m o n d , J. B. R e d m a n , C. T. Caskey Baylor College o f Medicine, H o u s t o n , TX, U S A Smnmaries by R. Derbyshire, UK.
A.
A.
R.
Lawrence,
Forensic Physician,
The authors note the frequent association of sexual assault with violent crime and that the estimated true incidence annually is ten 223