Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41186773›Full record

Observational studyInternational journal of legal medicine2026

Characteristics of drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA): an observational study at a Danish sexual assault center.

Marina Rasmussen, Johannes Rødbro Busch, Julie Munkholm, Kathrine Østerballe Skov, Marie Katrine Klose Nielsen, Malene Hilden, Jytte Banner, Carl Johan Wingren

Abstract readObservational Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Observational study in International journal of legal medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Marina RasmussenDepartment of Forensic Medicine, Section of Forensic Pathology, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V's Vej 11, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark. marina.rasmussen@sund.ku.dk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5677-3764
Johannes Rødbro BuschDepartment of Forensic Medicine, Section of Forensic Pathology, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V's Vej 11, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4275-2609
Julie MunkholmDepartment of Forensic Medicine, Section of Forensic Pathology, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V's Vej 11, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark.
Kathrine Østerballe SkovDepartment of Forensic Medicine, Section of Forensic Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V's Vej 11, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1350-9300
Marie Katrine Klose NielsenDepartment of Forensic Medicine, Section of Forensic Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V's Vej 11, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5159-8549
Malene HildenDepartment of Gynecology, Fertility and Obstetrics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2946-4912
Jytte BannerDepartment of Forensic Medicine, Section of Forensic Pathology, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V's Vej 11, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7559-1285
Carl Johan WingrenDepartment of Forensic Medicine, Section of Forensic Pathology, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V's Vej 11, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5229-7502

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionIn drug facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) the victim is unable to consent to the sexual act due to influence of alcohol, narcotics, or medicine. Increasing the awareness of characteristics associated with DFSA can assist the judicial system in early recognition of cases and guide public health interventions for reducing DFSA. This study aims to assess characteristics of DFSA victims compared to victims of non-DFSA.

methodsWe included 643 females from the age of 15, examined at Center for Victims of Sexual Assault (CVSA), Copenhagen, Denmark from 2021 to 2023. We extracted information on context of the case, findings of the examination, and linked register data, including socioeconomics, criminal records, and prescribed medication. We applied descriptive statistics and logistic regression models.

resultsDFSA victims, compared to non-DFSA, were younger and the risk was higher during weekends, at night, and by a perpetrator met for the first time the day of the assault. DFSA was associated with occurring at a public place, or the home of a friend. More injuries were observed in cases examined within 24 h of the assault. Ethanol, cocaine, and THC were the most frequent substances. Victims of sexual assault under 18 years have more reports to child protection services compared to the general population.

conclusionIn inebriated, young victims with memory loss, stating an assault at a public place the concern for DFSA should be raised. Early in the investigation of sexual assaults, forensic examination should be prioritized for securing samples for toxicology and documenting injuries.

Indexed as

Crime VictimsSex OffensesSubstance-Related DisordersAdolescentAdultDenmarkFemaleHumansClinical forensic medicineDrug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA)Forensic toxicologyGenital injuriesInjuriesSexual violence

Identifiers

PMID41186773
PMCPMC12957417

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