NCJ Number
190826
Journal
Journal of Clinical Forensic Medicine Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2001 Pages: 82-87
Date Published
June 2000
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study examined data on all listed cases of deaths in custody in Victoria (Australia) during the 6-year period of January 1991 through December 1996.
Abstract
In Victoria, all deaths in custody are investigated, and a coroner's inquest is held. The findings are entered into a database at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. This database was used in the current study. The deceased's age, sex, cause and mechanism of death, and the custodial service under which he/she was held at the time of death were correlated. During the 6-year period, there were 96 deaths (90 males and 6 females), with the decedents ranging in age from 15 to 77 years old. Of all the cases, 45 occurred while in police custody, 30 under corrections services, and 21 involved in noncustodial corrections. There were 31 accidental deaths, 29 suicides, 17 natural deaths, and 18 police shootings. Excluding police shootings, 42 deaths involved the presence of drugs or alcohol, either as a direct cause of death or as a contributory factor. Drug toxicity alone was implicated in 28 deaths. Deaths from unnatural causes remained the major cause of death of persons in custody. An awareness of these causes must assist in developing mechanisms to further reduce fatalities while in custody. 2 tables, 1 figure, and 20 references