Toxicology
In Massachusetts, it is illegal to give a person a drug of any kind with the intention of having sexual intercourse with that person. If the survivor or medical provider suspects that a drug was used to facilitate an assault, a blood and/or urine sample may be collected as a part of the rape exam. This is called the "Toxicology Kit".
The samples in the Kit will be tested for the presence of substances, such as drugs and alcohol:
- Substances can remain in the blood stream for up to 96 hours after they were ingested.
- Many substances leave the body more quickly so a negative result does not mean that a survivor was not drugged. It simply shows that a chemical was not present at the time of the Kit collection.
- Prescriptions, over the counter medications, alcohol and recreational drugs will be detected with the test.
Getting Toxicology Results
- The Toxicology results will generally be available after 6 weeks.
- Survivors who reported the assault to police can get the Toxicology results from the Certified Sexual Assault Investigator in the town where the assault occurred or the District Attorney handling their case.
- Survivors who did not report the assault to the police can access the Toxicology results by calling the Statewide Toxicology Results Reporting Line toll-free at 1-866-269-4265.
If you have questions about the Toxicology results call the Forensic Information Line at 866-463-3799.
This project was supported by Grant #2009-WF-AX-0014 awarded by the Violence Against Women Grants Office, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety & Security Office of Grants & Research and subgranted to the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center. Points of view in this document are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice or the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety Programs Division.
