γ-Hydroxybuttersäure (GHB) als K.O.-Mittel und sexuelle Delinquenz

Especially γ- Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB, ?Liquid Ecstasy“) and its precursors γ-Butyrolakton (GBL) and 1,4-Butandiol (BDO) which are transformed to GHB in humans, have been observed as knock-out substances with sexual offences. A low single dose GHB (adults about 1–2 g per os) to a person that is not used to take GHB can have a mild exhilarating, euphoric, anxiolytic, and relaxing effect. With increasing dosage (from 2,5 g) drowsiness, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, disorientation, agitation, myoclonia, and bradycardia will arouse. A dosage of 3–4 g per os (adults) results in consciousness and respiratory depression within minutes. A dosage of 4–5 g can cause a comatous state. In 2008 22 sexual offence cases with hints for the use of narcotics were examined in our toxicological laboratory: blood and urine samples in 11 cases, blood only in 7 cases, urine samples only in 4 cases. The average time interval between the offence and blood taking was 6.2 hrs, and between offence and giving an urine sample 14.6 hrs. A GHB concentration higher than the physiological level could not be detected in any of the cases. In 12 cases cannabinoides (n?=?7), amphetamine (n?=?2), cocaine (n?=?1), diazepam (n?=?3) as well as fluoxetin, citalopram, and dihydrocodein (n?=?1 each) could be detected. With a very short half life of GHB and its precursors a fast collecting of blood and urine is essential, when it is believed that GHB had been used. In these cases also a good and proper interview of the victim is of significant importance, especially concerning the phase of the intoxication as well as the recovery phase.