Dementia in custody: A historical and forensic approach

Abstract

The constant ageing of the population extends to the population behind bars. We consider and summarise medical, ethical, legal and societal concerns raised when older adults with dementia are charged and put into custody. Dementia in custody is a relatively new concept in forensic science. When you take into account the adversarial nature of the judicial system and the hardship posed by correctional facilities, an older adult with severe cognitive problems will increases the complexity of the situation. The possibility of an octogenarian in cognitive decline being detained in police custody is less remote than it seemed half a century ago.

The ill-fated triad: Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill - Post-Yalta strokes and the impact on world leaders

“…It can enable the public to make more informed decisions during elections, influencing democratic processes. Therefore, as the cases of Roosevelt, Stalin, Churchill and many others vividly illustrate, maintaining the health of political leaders is not merely a personal matter ( 37 ); it is a concern of national, and often international, importance. With the increasing pressures of leadership in the 21st century, it becomes even more critical for leaders to maintain their physical and mental well-being, for their sake and for the fate of the nations they lead.…”