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Eyechecks to be Used to Bust Drug Users | 20 comments (20 topical)
Re: Eyechecks to be Used to Bust Drug Users (none / 0) (#4)
by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Sep 14, 2006 at 03:35:49 AM EST
The way the article is written seems to be misleading as it emphasizes that this device makes the 'bust' easier. "measures absolute pupil dynamics to presumptively detect drugs and intoxicating compounds with immediate results." - Office Of Law Enforcement Technology Commercialization OLETC (I couldn't make up a better name. They are located in W. Virginia and part of the National Institute for Justice -Homeland Security Act of 2002- and the US Department of Justice.) Many over the counter and legally used prescription medications can affect pupil dynamics. I imagine in a controlled situation it should be pretty easy to differentiate cocaine, marajauna, or booze if those are your only choices. They are from different drug groups based on how they interact with the nervous system. I seriously doubt this holds up in the real world where any number of other factors can affect the results including the use of legal drugs, and I imagine various medical conditions. This is more appropriate for a screening device (as indicated by the manufacturers website MCJ, Inc.) and not as hard evidence of specific illegal drug use. (Also if this has a high false positive rate it could easily be misused and abused. For example if OLETC and others strongly promote the bust and arrest element.) If used appropriately it might have a place in this world as an inexpensive, non-invasive drug screen test. Particularly in circumstances where drug screening is already in place (parole offices, drug rehab, etc.) Out in the field, however it seems good training, observation skills and a flashlight has managed to get plenty of drug users into prison.

Eyechecks to be Used to Bust Drug Users | 20 comments (20 topical)

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