Involuntary Intoxication

Involuntary Intoxication

You are a patrol officer and have just arrested a defendant for vehicular manslaughter. He was driving his car when he drove off the road, hitting and killing a pedestrian. The defendant is clearly under the influence of some substance, although you do not know what it is. Later that evening, when the defendant sobers up, he tells you that he was at a party and drank only one soda the entire night. He claims that he does not drink alcohol or take drugs and that the only possible explanation he can give is that someone drugged his soda. Answer the following questions:

a. What steps should you take at the crime scene to secure a conviction?

b. How should you carry on this investigation?

c. What information do you need from the defendant to find out whether there is any validity to his story?

Solution: