Knockout drops in the news are becoming more common, leaving many stunned. From beer tents to graduation parties, even the police have encountered these dangerous substances. A recent Dresden "Tatort" episode highlights the use of knockout drops by a serial offender, who targets unsuspecting women, spikes their drinks, and then rapes them. Because the high doses of narcotics lead to memory loss, the victims have a hard time remembering anything, making prosecutions difficult.
Despite the reform of criminal procedure law in 2019, which was supposed to make it easier for victims to testify, only 21 cases were prosecuted in Berlin last year. One of the reasons for this is the short detection time of the substances. It takes around six hours in blood and twelve hours in urine to find traces of the drugs. These substances include many different substances, from ketamine, an anesthetic used in veterinary medicine, to GHB, colloquially known as liquid ecstasy.
Many of these substances are freely available in Germany, while others are prescription drugs. However, some, like GHB, are not covered by the Narcotics Act. Easy to obtain, hard to prosecute, and devastating in their effects, knockout drops are a serious problem that society as a whole is grappling with.
As filmmakers, the motivation to make a film on this topic stems from the need to reflect reality and not ignore tough issues in society. "Shadow Games," a TV series, highlights the challenge of prosecuting such cases due to the short detection time of the drugs. After watching the harrowing crime drama "Eyes Closed," viewers might be surprised to find out that similar instances of drug-facilitated sexual assault and the ensuing legal complexities are not just fictional, but a sobering reality on German streets and TV headlines.
Enrichment Data:
While the specific effectiveness of current laws and investigative methods in prosecuting cases involving knockout drops in Germany is not addressed in the article, it is reasonable to infer that German law enforcement and judicial systems have the necessary frameworks and tools to handle such cases effectively. However, the success of each case would depend on the specific circumstances and the quality of evidence available. Additionally, public service announcements and educational campaigns can help reduce the incidence of such crimes, contributing to prevention efforts.
