Deaths in police custody during 1994: a retrospective analysis

Norfolk, Guy

doi:10.1016/s1353-1131(98)90010-4

Cited by 31 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Even seemingly "only" inebriated persons require a careful check of their concrete condition since high-level alcoholic intoxication does carry a considerable lethal risk. In the German study [4], 25% of all deaths in police custody had been caused by acute alcohol poisoning, similar to other European countries [26,27,30].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 70%

“…The medium age of the 60 deceased was only little above 40, just as it has been in Florida [25] and Denmark [26]. In Great Britain [27], Canada [28] and the Netherlands [29], the persons who died were even slightly younger.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sleeping facilities should be in a way that prevents deadly falls. However, by introducing general video surveillance [27], disputes between detainees, for instance, could be quicker recognised, which would prevent more serious situations. Central custody suits provide a good possibility [12,20,39] where police staff is not involved in any other duties and can therefore focus on the required monitoring activities.…”

Section: Conclusion and Potential Solutionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Medical examination of fitness for police custody in two large German towns

et al. 2011

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Worldwide, there is a high risk of medical complications or death in police custody. This risk is often increased by unclear legislation, a lack of clearly defined responsibility and medical examination standards. Any solution to these problems requires as a very basis the systematic analysis of the medical examinations that determine whether a person is fit to be detained in custody. We analysed a total of 3,674 medical records on fitness for custody, taken from two large German towns (Halle/S and Bremen). The examined individuals were predominantly males or of a younger age. The indication in the majority of cases was acute alcoholic intoxication or drug withdrawal syndromes. Traumata and internal or mental diseases were also quite frequent. For approximately 50% of all cases, fitness for custody was declared on certain conditions. Only 39.8% were found to be unconditionally fit for detention in custody. In just under 10% of the cases, the person was found unfit for custody. These cases concerned mainly persons with psychological symptoms and advanced alcohol or drug withdrawal syndromes. We were able to show that the recent introduction of new police custody regulations in Halle/S had a significant influence on the medical decision on fitness for custody. Our detailed assessment has provided us with the basis to develop solutions for the improvement of medical care in police custody. The focus lies here on the organisation and legal regulation of the medical aspects of custody but also on policing and medical work.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 70%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Conclusion and Potential Solutionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Medical examination of fitness for police custody in two large German towns

et al. 2011

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“…A few scholars also have recommended a homicide investigatory standard when investigating death in custody, 14,28 while others have called for proper psychiatric assessments of those who are held in custody in order to prevent such deaths. 20 As revealed by the participants, a standard protocol of investigation should include proper documentation procedures, where samples are stored, autopsies and interviews are audio-or videotaped and saved, and thorough observational notes are taken so that initial collections of evidence are sufficiently detailed and, when second opinions are sought, these can be carried out in more meaningful ways.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The investigation of deaths in custody: A qualitative analysis of problems and prospects

Wangmo

Ruiz

Sinclair

et al. 2014

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine

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a b s t r a c tThe right to be treated humanely when detained is universally recognized. Deficiencies in detention conditions and violence, however, subvert this right. When this occurs, proper medico-legal investigations are critical irrespective of the nature of death. Unfortunately, the very context of custody raises serious concerns over the effectiveness and fairness of medico-legal examinations. The aim of this manuscript is to identify and discuss the practical and ethical difficulties encountered in the medico-legal investigation following deaths in custody. Data for this manuscript come from a larger project on Death in Custody that examined the causes of deaths in custody and the conditions under which these deaths should be investigated and prevented. A total of 33 stakeholders from forensic medicine, law, prison administration or national human rights administration were interviewed. Data obtained were analyzed qualitatively. Forensic experts are an essential part of the criminal justice process as they offer evidence for subsequent indictment and eventual punishment of perpetrators. Their independence when investigating a death in custody was deemed critical and lack thereof, problematic. When experts were not independent, concerns arose in relation to conflicts of interest, biased perspectives, and low-quality forensic reports. The solutions to ensure independent forensic investigations of deaths in custody must be structural and simple: setting binding standards of practice rather than detailed procedures and relying on preexisting national practices as opposed to encouraging new practices that are unattainable for countries with limited resources.

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“…Substance misuse, including alcohol, is a factor in a substantial number of deaths in custody. [12][13][14] However, the patterns of drug consumption and the modes of ingestion are atypical of drug-related deaths in the UK with the most common drug identified at post-mortem being cocaine and the mode of ingestion oral. 15 It is essential that forensic physicians are trained in the field of substance misuse and provide appropriate advice to custody staff who need to Ôcare forÕ this group of vulnerable detainees who are at great risk.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%