Citation

Stypa MP, Laythorpe MG. J. Forensic Sci. 2019; 64(2): 651-653.

Affiliation

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Las Vegas, NV, 89118.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, American Society for Testing and Materials, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/1556-4029.13925

PMID

30296335

Abstract

Cocaine is an illicit drug frequently encountered by forensic practitioners in driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) casework. Whole blood collected from a suspected drugged driver was found to contain 3.000 mg/L cocaine, 1.600 mg/L benzoylecgonine, and 0.260 mg/L methamphetamine. The high concentration of cocaine, while common in overdose death investigations, is unusual for an impaired driving case. Information from the officer revealed that the motorist swallowed cocaine during the traffic stop. Although a cocaine DUID charge could not be pursued, the blood methamphetamine concentration exceeded the State of Nevada "per se" limit for operating a motor vehicle. The motorist was successfully prosecuted for DUID based on his admission of using methamphetamine prior to driving and the blood methamphetamine result. This case highlights the importance of considering case history when interpreting laboratory results and the application of jurisdictional statutes as an approach to prosecuting suspected drug-impaired drivers.

© 2018 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Language: en

Keywords

benzoylecgonine; cocaine; driving under the influence of drugs; forensic science; forensic toxicology; impaired driving; methamphetamine; “per se” law