Sudden Deaths in Custody

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-ix

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2. The Nature of Sudden In-Custody Deaths

   • Darrell L. Ross

   Pages 1-8

3. Medical Overview of Sudden In-Custody Deaths

   • Theodore C. Chan

   Pages 9-14

4. Neck Holds

   • Gary M. Vilke

   Pages 15-37

5. Positional and Restraint Asphyxia

   • Tom Neuman

   Pages 39-57

6. Restraint Stress

   • Elizabeth A. Laposata

   Pages 59-80

7. The Role of Illicit Drug Use in Sudden In-Custody Death

   • Aaron B. Schneir, Richard F. Clark

   Pages 81-97

8. Excited Delirium

   • Charles V. Wetli

   Pages 99-112

9. Riot Control Agents, Tasers, and Other Less Lethal Weapons

   • Christian Sloane, Gary M. Vilke

   Pages 113-138

10. Case Analysis of Restraint Deaths in Law Enforcement and Corrections

    • Darrell L. Ross

    Pages 139-165

11. Deaths in Custody Investigations

    • Vincent Di Miao

    Pages 167-172

12. Liability and Wrongful In-Custody Deaths

    • Darrell L. Ross

    Pages 173-202

13. Administrative Implications

    • Darrell L. Ross

    Pages 203-228

14. Back Matter

    Pages 229-233

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Sudden in-custody restraint deaths have emerged as a critical and imp- tant problem for police, correctional, and medical care workers. The scope and magnitude of the problem clearly reveals that the subject matter is worthy of further consideration. Although the frequency of these deaths is very low, the criticality of its occurrence requires attention to the subject matter. The purpose of Sudden Deaths in Custody is to provide current information that addresses the issue from a number of perspectives. It is our purpose to assemble, under one title, current research that addresses the varying facets that underscore the nature of sudden in-custody deaths. The intent is to provide information that can further educate and assist those officers, adm- istrators, investigators, trainers, and medical personnel who must interact, intervene, and make decisions about how to prevent sudden in-custody deaths. Sudden Deaths in Custody specifically addresses sudden in-custody deaths that occur after a violent confrontation. Such incidents may occur after police or correction officers’ intervention, but also include incidents that may occur in a mental health facility or emergency medical field setting. The deaths described in this volume all involve sudden death within minutes or hours of contact preceded by one or more of the following: violent confrontation with police or corrections personnel, forcible control measures, and behavior inf- enced by a chemical substance, or mental impairment. Incidents involving custodial suicides, homicides, accidents, fatal pursuits, or police shootings are excluded.

• chemical substance
• delirium
• physiological response
• police
• sudden death
• sudden in-custody death
• taser

From the reviews:

"The monograph Sudden Deaths in Custody … addresses all relevant aspects in this field. … The two introductory chapters give an overview of the nature of sudden in-custody death and a medical review. … very well written and well referenced, and contains a huge wealth of information. … highly recommended to all dealing with sudden deaths in custody, especially police officers, forensic pathologists, administrators, investigators, medical personnel, and would be useful in civil law suits claiming wrongful death. The text is really authoritative." (B. Madea, Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology, Issue (4), 2008)

• Department of Criminal Justice, East Carolina University, Greenville

  Darrell L. Ross

• Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Diego

  Theodore C. Chan

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