Methamphetamine Use: Clinical and Forensic Aspects

A man is accused of attempted murder of a former crystal meth addict. He claims he shot in self-defense, responding to the extremely aggressive behavior the victim was exhibiting. How will this play out in court? Most likely, the prosecution and the defense will call various expert witnesses - perhaps neurologists, psychologists, pathologists - each with testimonies based on their own theoretical viewpoints, but none with a truly comprehensive knowledge of the background and effects of methamphetamine (MA) use. This will cause confusion, complexity, and their testimonies may not comply with Daubert standards. Written by a multidisciplinary team of experts, Methaphetamine Use: Clinical and Forensic Aspects examines MA use and abuse from clinical, forensic, and criminal justice perspectives. It is the first to cover virtually every aspect, reviewing the history, pharmacology, pathology, physiology, treatment, and evidentiary value of MA and its use. It addresses Daubert considerations and victim/witness credibility, competency to confess and to stand trial, criminal responsibility, extreme emotion as mitigation to murder, and dangerousness. It also details statutes and case law to represent perspectives of both the prosecution and the defense. Growing in popularity more than any other illegal drug, methamphetamine has been shown to produce a paranoid psychotic state, which may recur months or years after use. Methamphetamine Use: Clinical and Forensic Aspects provides a comprehensive, critical survey of the current knowledge and policies regarding the use and abuse of this dangerous and ubiquitous substance.

Table of Contents:
History and Epidemiology History of Methamphetamine Errol Yudko, Lori Murray-Bridges, and Sherrlee Watson-Hauanio Epidemiology Harold V. Hall, Sandra B. McPherson, Stuart W. Twemlow, and Errol Yudko Methamphetamine and the Middle East Sandra B. McPherson and Farshid Afsarifard MDMA Errol Yudko Physiology, Effects and Diagnosis of Methamphetamine Use Physiology Errol Yudko, Harold V. Hall, Sandra McPherson, and Stuart W. Twemlow Effects of Methamphetamine Use Harold V. Hall, Sandra B. McPherson, Stuart W. Tremlow, and Errol Yudko Diagnosis of Methamphetamines Use Harold V. Hall, Sandra B. McPherson, Stuart W. Tremlow, and Errol Yudko Aggression Anecdotal Evidence of the effects of Amphetamine on Aggression Harold V. Hall Empirical Evidence of the Effects of Amphetamine on Aggression Errol Yudko and Paul Midson Methamphetamine and the Courts Expert Testimony Harold V. Hall, Sandra B. McPherson, Stuart W. Twemlow, and Errol Yudko Mitigation in Sentencing Sandra B. McPherson and Farshid Afsarifard Mitigation to Murder Harold V. Hall, Sandra B. McPherson, Stuart W. Tremlow and Errol Yudko Methamphetamine and Pregnancy Errol Yudko and Sandra McPherson Forensics Miranda Rights, Interrogation, and Competency to Confess Harold V. Hall, Sandra B. McPherson, Stuart W. Twemlow, and Errol Yudko Criminal Responsibility Harold V. Hall, Sandra B. McPherson, Stuart W. Twemlow, and Errol Yudko Dangerousness Prediction in Methamphetamine Cases Harold V. Hall, Sandra B. McPherson, Stuart W. Twemlow, and Errol Yudko Treatment Treatment of Methamphetamine Abuse: A Lack of Evidence for the Efficacy of Any of the Models That Are Currently in Use Errol Yudko and Tiffany Gagnet Bibliography Appendices Pacific Institute Statement of Purpose Form for Treatment Verbatim History of an Amphetamine User Temporal Characteristics Safety Tips for Approaching a Tweaker Glossary Index