| YEAR | SUBSTANCE RELATED DISORDERS | AUTHOR | SOURCE | SELECTION | ABSTRACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | A forensic approach for the anabolic-androgenic steroid use in the mitigation of criminal behavior | George Glass MD | psychiatry journal | 6221 | The use of anabolic steroids to enhance sports performance has been recognized for many years. The positive effect of these agents on the muscle development and physical endurance of professional athletes has been widely publicized, but these substances also have many negative side effects. They can cause individuals to become moody, aggressive, self-centered, and irritable, to the extent that their personalities are altered. This article re-views some of the negative effects of anabolic steroids, particularly as they relate to mental status and behavior such that a normal individual who uses these substances would even commit a crime. Three cases are reviewed in which the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids was associated with crimes after the individual s behavior was noted to be aberrant, and ego-dystonic. These individuals were historically not sociopaths, their criminal behavior was unexpected, and was described as out of character by their family and friends. Their use of these agents on a regular basis coincided with dramatic personality changes. Strikingly, their personalities reverted back to their premorbid style after they were off steroids, despite the associated stress of their legal situations. In each case, the attorneys used the individual s steroid use to explain what happened, and then focused on it in an effort to mitigate sentencing. It is hoped that the information provided about the effects of anabolic steroids, combined with the case histories presented, will help others as they deal with similar situations. |
| 2008 | Blood alcohol concentrations-basic information for forensic psychiatrists and attorneys involved in alcohol-related litigation | Eric Fine MD |
American Journal of Forensic Psychiary |
8014 | The concentration of alcohol in the blood (BAC) is one of the very few objective tests available to psychiatrists that is a measure of aberrant behavior and a diagnostic criterion for alcohol dependence. It has significant legal ramifications in both civil and criminal cases, but this article is primarily concerned with the importance of BACs in civil litigation. The BAC correlates well with the presence of signs and symptoms of impairment due to alcohol but this is a much more complicated phenomenon than sometimes thought. Because of its unique role as a legally-available, very commonly-used drug, alcohol is often not thought of as a drug in the same way that cocaine, opioids, or benzodiazepines are. However, it is responsible for more morbidity and mortality than all other drugs combined. The content of this article summarizes the pharmacology of alcohol, and the many circumstances which involve BACs that are of relevance in addiction forensic psychiatry. Psychiatrists involved in this specialty area will find this information essential for offering an opinion in any case involving the role of alcohol. |
| 2007 | Anabolic Steroids use as a Defense in Forensic Psychiatry | George Glass MD | psychiatry CD | 10376 | The use of anabolic steroids to enhance sports performance has been recognized for many years. While the effect of these agents on muscle development and physical endurance has been uncovered recently in prominent sports figures, these effects are also sought by many non-professional athletes. These substances can enhance an individual s workout and accelerate their body building, but their very negative side effects are often ignored. Anabolic steroids cause moodiness, aggression, irritability, self-centeredness, sleep cycle disruption, and personality change. These side effects are often ignored with dire consequences. Criminal behavior has occurred in some individuals after several cycles of anabolic steroid use. This seemingly aberrant behavior may be very different from how they behaved prior to steroid use, and would not have been anticipated by those who knew them before. This paper explores the effects of anabolic steroids. Two cases are reviewed in which individuals who had used anabolic steroids then were apprehended for crimes they committed. The defense included the role that anabolic steroid use played in their actions. The issues involved with this will be discussed. |
| 2007 | Bood alcohol concentrations (bacs) in addiction forensic psychiatry | Eric Fine MD | psychiatry CD | 10677 | This presentation will discuss the importance of BACs: how they are measured, what they mean so far as behavior is concerned, and the differentiation between alcohol im pairment at various BACs from "visible intoxication." The concept of tolerance as it per tains to signs of intoxication will be described, and its etiology discussed. Reference to specific cases involving Driving While Intoxicated and Dram Shop Liability will be used as examples of situations where knowledge and interpretation of BACs are critical. Re cent increase in the use of videotapes in establishments providing alcohol allows for observations in real time of behaviors that are manifest at known, or scientifically esti mated, BACs. Review of these videotapes has introduced a new dimension in arriving at opinions regarding the impact of alcohol on behavior from as objective a point of view as possible.--Eric Fine, MD is in the private practice of consultative and forensic psy chiatry in Philadelphia. He is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Thomas Jefferson University Medical College. |
| 2007 | Anabolic steroids use as a defense in forensic psychiatry | George S. Glass, MD | psychiatry CD | 10678 | The use of anabolic steroids to enhance sports performance has been recognized for many years. While the effect of these agents on muscle development and physical endurance has been uncovered recently in prominent sports figures, these effects are also sought by many non-professional athletes. These substances can enhance an individual's workout and accelerate their body building, but their very negative side effects are often ignored. Anabolic steroids cause moodiness, aggression, irritability, self-centeredness, sleep cycle disruption, and personality change. These side effects are often ignored with dire consequences. Criminal behavior has occurred in some individuals after several cycles of anabolic steroid use. This seemingly aberrant behavior may be very different from how they behaved prior to steroid use, and would not have been anticipated by those who knew them before. This paper explores the effects of anabolic steroids. Two cases are reviewed in which individuals who had used anabolic steroids then were apprehended for crimes they committed. The defense included the role that anabolic steroid use played in their actions. The issues involved with this will be discussed.--George S. Glass, MD is board certified in psychiatry and addictionology. He is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the APA, and Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Baylor and University of Texas Medical School. |
| 2005 | Minimal brain injuries and fatigue, and how they related to DWI | George S Glass MD | psychiatry tapes | 3164 | Police often attribute a driver s failure of a Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) to a perceived blood alcohol content of more than 0.08 mg percent if the individual smells of alcohol or admits to alcohol intoxication. Mild concussion, that is, minimal brain injury following an automobile accident, can cause a driver to fail the SFST. Many of the same symptoms that appear with elevated blood alcohol content (BAC) may be present as a result of automobile accident-related minimal brain injury or of fatigue, and the driver s actual blood alcohol level may either be nonexistent or much lower than the 0.08 mg percent required for a DWI conviction. The same is true for fatigue. Attendees should be able to understand how minimal brain injuries and fatigue can present with DWI-like symptoms, and appreciate how this may impact their client s legal situation. |
| 2005 | Alcohol in the courtroom: the intoxication defense | Jonathan Golding PhD | psychiatry journal | 7065 | Imagine the following scenario. A male has been drinking for several hours. Despite his inebriated state, the man walks into a jewelry store and robs the store at gunpoint. In court the man admits to robbing the store but he pleads not guilty based on the fact that he did it only because he was drunk. In fact, a blood test at the time of the incident showed that the man s blood alcohol level was.10. Will the man s defense be effective? |
| 2005 | Fetal alcohol syndrome: something old, something new | Timothy D. Derning, PhD | Psychology tape | 3200 | It has been 30 years since Fetal Alcohol Syndrome became a topic of serious study and interest in U.S. professional communities. Psychologists are often viewed by FAS advocates as behind the learning curve regarding FAS issues. Many changes have taken place since the early 70s. This workshop will update the topic and discuss the latest research findings, assessment strategies, and language changes in the field, particularly with respect to the delinquent and criminal populations in which it is estimated that as many as 25% had prenatal alcohol exposure. This workshop will update participants in the latest research findings regarding the neurological, social, adaptive, and criminal justice aspects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders (FASD), including language changes describing the condition. The goal is to provide participants with the resources to enhance their diagnostic skills regarding FASD. Timothy J. Derning, Ph.D. is in private practice in Lafayette, California. He has evaluated criminal defendants for state and federal courts around the U.S. regarding neurocognitive disabilities such as FASD. |
| 2004 | The DXM intoxication defense | Alexander Obolsky MD | psychiatry tapes | 3108 | An up-to-date scientific literature review of the prevalence and incidence of dextromethorphan (DXM) abuse in the United States and forensic issues. Attendees will be able to explain the effects of DXM on mental functioning; to describe and explain the DXM intoxication defense. |
| 2002 | Voluntariness of a confession: effects of prior trauma and victimization, ethanol withdrawal and passive-dependent personality traits | Michael J Perrotti PhD | psychology tape | 2043 | This presentation will assist the audience with difficult analysis of criminal matters involving a defendant s preexisting personality pathology and prior trauma that interfere with his ability to execute a knowing and intelligent waiver of his constitutional rights and to produce a confession consistent with the legal concept of voluntariness. A case presentation will be given wherein the police submitted a statement in which they stipulated to making false threats and false statements concerning evidence to a defendant charged with attempted murder. A historical analysis of antecedent factors to a confession by the defendant including prior victimization experience and how this trauma was triggered by coercive techniques by law enforcement will be conducted. Attendees will gain an understanding of the concepts of knowing and intelligent waiver of rights and voluntariness of a confession; they will learn a forensic analytic approach to evaluating voluntariness of statements given to the police. |
| 2002 | Toxic substances, psychiatric disorders, and class action | CB Scrignar MD | psychiatry journal | 2437 | When explosions or accidents cause the release of toxic substances which affect large numbers of people, a class action suit may be filed. Individuals who are exposed to toxic substances can develop physical and emotional symptoms. Forensic psychiatrists must be aware of the psychiatric disorders which can occur following exposure to toxic substances, including acute stress disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, specific (traumatic) phobia, adjustment disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorders. During a class action certification hearing, forensic clinicians may participate as generic experts to explain to the court the mental disorders which may occur following exposure. Prior to trial, the judge may designate class representatives as "bellwether plaintiffs" and the forensic psychiatrist will have an opportunity to perform a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation on each class representative. Under oath, the forensic clinician gives testimony during discovery depositions or at trial. Experienced forensic psychiatrists can help sort out the truly traumatized plaintiffs from those who may be malingering. Whether testifying for the plaintiff or defense, the forensic clinician must discard any bias and testify ethically, honestly, always striving for objectivity. |
| 2000 | Performing assessments involving cocaine for the courts | David S. Nussbaum, PhD |
psychology tape | 1119 | Forensic clinicians are frequently called upon to assess individuals who have abused substances, including cocaine. This talk will familiarize the clinician with the underlying neurobiology of cocaine, and how it influences consciousness, emotions, motivation, violence and sexual behavior. Selected interactions between cocaine and other drugs will be summarized. This information will be integrated within the framework of drafting a focussed forensic assessment. Attendees will learn the basic biology of cocaine s action within the brain and how it can affect behavior. This knowledge will then be translated into ramifications for writing accurate forensic reports. |
| 1999 | Forensic issues related to substance abuse | Richard May MD | psychiatry tapes | 1201 | Substance abuse (SA) is a widespread problem in this country. Measured in cost, over $50 billion are spent annually on health and medical insurance, diminished job productivity, motor vehicle accidents and violent crimes. When alcohol and SA problems are included with other mental illness, they comprise over 30% of the country s total mental health problems. Important cases and issues that will be discussed include Status of Being An Addict, (Robinson v. CA, US, 1962); and Public Drunkenness, (Powell v. Texas, US, 1968). Other issues are incompetency related to alcoholism and drug addiction, and intoxication as a defense. Participants will be exposed to important "forensic" issues related to SA, including sanity, confidentiality during treatment, diminished capacity and disability. |
| 1999 | Expert testimony in alcohol liability cases | Eric W. Fine, MD |
psychiatry tapes | 1144 | Fundamentals of dram shop liability, trial issues and expert testimony in legal cases involving misuse of alcohol and preparation of court reports in such cases. |
| 1999 | Substance abuse in child custody | George S. Glass, MD |
psychiatry tapes | 1141 | Substance abuse is often injected into the midst of a custody battle. It is essential to obtain an accurate assessment of the individual accused of substance abuse to determine if the children are being endangered, or if the accusation is a manipulation on the part of the other spouse to limit access to the children. The author will clarify what should be involved in a forensic substance abuse assessment, including what the tests show and what corroborating information is necessary. If an abuse problem does exist, what can be done to ensure than an individual will comply with the treatment recommendations? How can an individual who has a problem be monitored to protect the children? These issues will be addressed. |
| 1999 | Psychological changes due to alcohol for the courts | David Nussbaum PhD | psychological tape | 1172 | Mental health professionals are increasingly called upon to offer forensic opinions to the courts regarding acts potentially influenced by psychotropic substances. This presentation, focusing on alcohol s effects on behavior, provides a general framework and specific information to better prepare psychologists to provide such opinions. Nine salient issues will be explored: blood level measurements; basic biology (physiology, metabolism, target neurotransmitters, chronic and acute effects; course of action); dose related effects on consciousness; dose related effects on memory; dose related ability to form intent, motivational and emotional effects; potential violence eliciting properties and possible mechanisms; alcohol s effects on sexual behavior, and idiosyncratic responses. |
| 1999 | Effects of phencyclidine and cocaine in mental states | Michael J Perrotti PhD | psychology tape | 9085 | no abstract |
| 1998 | Cocaine toxicology testing at psychiatric emergency department presentation | Glenn Currier MD | psychiatry journal | 1184 | In this nonrandom sample, positive cocaine toxicology was associated with direct discharge from the emergency department and with significantly briefer lengths of stay for subjects with mood symptoms, but not with psychosis. Toxicology screens were obtained on over half of admitted patients, and were positive for cocaine on about a third of those tested, including roughly one-half of mood disordered, primary substance abusing and other subjects. However, less than one-fifth of psychotic subjects tested were positive for cocaine. Therefore, of tested patients, those with mood symptoms were three times more likely than those with psychosis to have recent cocaine exposure This preliminary study suggests that while cocaine use is common in the PES setting, patients for whom information about recent cocaine use would be most clinically relevant are often not tested. For those tested, recent cocaine use alone was not uniformly predictive of hospital admission or length of stay. The study also highlights the frequent implication of cocaine abuse in subjects presenting with symptoms of a mood disorder. Further work using a prospective design would be useful in elucidating these findings. |
| 1998 | Violence, aggression and alcohol | Eric Fine MD | psychiatry journal | 5409 | Numerous areas of aggressive behavior are discussed with special emphasis on their association with alcohol use, abuse or dependence. These include homicide, suicide, sexual assault, family violence and child abuse. Also, less common examples of probable aggressive behavior are discussed, including motor vehicle crashes, drunkenness and disorderly conduct. The ultimate conclusion is that any relationship between alcohol, aggression and violence is extremely complicated and cultural, sociologic, psychologic and biologic factors all play important roles. |
| 1996 | Alcohol workshop for expert witnesses (tape 1) | Eric W. Fine, MD Scott Gemberling, Esq. |
psychiatry tape | 1408 | Alcohol intoxication ranks high among the factors in most criminal cases and many civil cases as well. When mental state issues are held to be relevant in these cases and alcohol is a factor, the testifying forensic psychiatrist needs to be well informed in order to properly advise the court. This workshop will provide the psychiatrist with the most current information regarding the pharmacology of alcohol, the phenomena of intoxication and tolerance, and the adverse consequences of alcohol abuse and alcoholism as they impact on legal issues. |
| 1996 | Cocaine, homicide and criminal responsibility | Hadley Osran MD | psychiatry journal | 380 | Cocaine use produces a wide range of psychiatric symptoms. Therefore, a criminal defendant who was under the influence of cocaine at the time of the alleged crime, may have been suffering from sufficient mental impairment in which a cocaine-related psychiatric defense may be viable. For example, a defendant suffering from an acute, nonpsychotic cocaine intoxication may be confused, agitated, hostile and impulsive. These symptoms may impair the defendant s ability to premeditate during the commission of a homicide, thus reducing the defendant s degree of culpability. Because of its effects, cocaine use has played a major role in the increase of violent crime in this country. This article reviews two cases in which cocaine use had a substantial role in the commission of homicide. The issues regarding cocaine related psychiatric impairment, the defendant s mental state and criminal responsibility will be discussed. In addition, this article will provide an overview of the legal aspects of criminal responsibility. Lastly, the pertinent legal case precedents will be discussed. |
| 1996 | Alcohol workshop for expert witnesses (tape 2) | Eric W. Fine, MD Scott Gemberling, Esq.. |
psychiatry tape | 1411 | Alcohol intoxication ranks high among the factors in most criminal cases and many civil cases as well. When mental state issues are held to be relevant in these cases and alcohol is a factor, the testifying forensic psychiatrist needs to be well informed in order to properly advise the court. This workshop will provide the psychiatrist with the most current information regarding the pharmacology of alcohol, the phenomena of intoxication and tolerance, and the adverse consequences of alcohol abuse and alcoholism as they impact on legal issues. |
| 1994 | Cocaine use and forensic psychological assessments | Tony Strickland PhD | psychology tape | 2004 | The patient who presents for forensic evaluation of a psychiatric or neurological complaint and is concurrent for a history of substance abuse has generally received only modest attention in the clinical practice literature. Significantly more clinical attention has focused on the neurobehavioral sequelae of more pronounced brain insults. However, current research efforts on cocaine and other drugs of abuse have greatly expanded our understanding of the mechanisms underlying addiction as well as contributing to some exciting new assessment techniques. This presentation is designed to describe recent research findings related to the neuropsychological and brain blood flow consequences of cocaine and other drugs (including antidepressants and antianxiolytics). Emphasis is also given to the clinical, forensic and practical implications of psychoactive substance-induced organic brain syndromes. |
| 1994 | Estate of Boudwin v Dino's Lounge-a Dram Shop Act case | Eric Fine MD Scott Gamberling JD |
psychiatry journal | 6078 | This paper presents a particularly interesting example of a Dram Shop Act case, in which the author appeared as an expert. Dram Shop Act cases involve situations in which liquor licensees such as bars and restaurants are held liable for serving alcohol to patrons who are visibly intoxicated. |
| 1992 | The Dram Shop Act in Pennsylvania: strategies for the defense | Eric Fine MD Scott Gemberling JD |
psychiatry journal | 8045 | So-called Dram Shop Act cases are frequently litigated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. These cases involve the selling or providing of alcoholic beverages to individuals who can be proven to have been visibly intoxicated. Restaurants and bars that can be shown to have served patrons while in a state of visible intoxication can be held liable for damages perpetrated by or upon that individual. The law in this area is described, and clinical and forensic issues are discussed pertinent to the understanding of, and in particular the defense of, such litigation. Communication and interplay between attorneys and expert witnesses are emphasized, and strategies discussed that have proved successful in the defense of many of these cases |
| 1992 | Psychiatric expertise in the dram shop case | Eric W. Fine, MD |
psychiatry tapes | 1901 | no abstract |
| 1992 | The dram shop act in Pennsylvania-strategies for the defense | Eric Fine MD Scott Gemberling JD |
psychiatry journal | 5453 | Civil statutes that impose liability on sellers of liquor, wine, and sometimes beer are referred to as "Dram Shop Acts." The seller may be held responsible in situations where a third-party has been injured by a buyer who has become intoxicated as a result of the sale. The speakers will discuss the Dram Shop Act in Pennsylvania and some strategies that have proved successful in defending bars and restaurants charged with serving patrons while visibly intoxicated. |
| 1990 | Alcohol intoxication - implications for forensic psychiatry | Eric Fine MD | psychiatry tapes | 5089 | Clinical manifestations of alcohol intoxication are reviewed by an expert in alcohol issues with special emphasis on tolerance to alcohol and the relationship to blood alcohol levels. Specific cases are discussed involving expert opinion. |
| 1988 | Substance abuse as crimogenic - the defense case and assay evidence | Nathaniel Pallone PhD | psychology tape | 10193 | Construction of the most adequate defense case requires laboratory assay evidence in preference to self-report or observation by witness, victim, or arresting officer. |
| 1988 | Substances of abuse-DSM definitions, pathogenicity, dependence issues | Ken Karols MD, PhD | psychiatry tapes | 10049 | Review of substance abuse, including drugs, alcohol, tobacco and caffeine. Dr. Karols discusses DSM definitions of dependence and abuse. Particular emphasis is on the pathogenicity of the various substances. |
| 1987 | Forensic psychiatric issues related to alcoholism | Gerald G. Pope, MD | psychiatry tapes | 1781 | no abstract |
| 1983 | Alcoholism and forensic psychiatry - criminal responsibility | Eric Fine MD, M.R.C.Psych | psychiatry journal | 10303 | Evaluation of alcoholic litigants is one of the most complicated problems facing the forensic mental health expert. In all legal contexts a crucial issue is whether an individual acts as a legally responsible agent or whether responsibility on a particular occasion was impaired or negated by alcohol dependency, making the act involuntary. |