Citation

Ben Amar W, Zribi M, Ennouri H, Jammeli K, Maatoug A, Annabi K, Maatoug M, Karray N, Dhouib H, Mannoubi S, Hammami Z, Maatoug S. J. Med. Leg. Droit Med. 2017; 60(2): 3-7.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Masson)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

PURPOSE of the study. This study aims at determining circumstances and causes of the deaths in prison in Sfax (Tunisia) in order to develop appropriate prevention strategies.

METHODology. It is about a retrospective study on the deaths in prison recorded by the activity of the Forensic Department in Habib Bourguiba University Hospital (Sfax, Tunisia), over a period of 2 years (from January 2015 to December 2016).

RESULTS. Thirteen detained men and a women died over this period: 12 victims were in prison and 2 in police custody. The average age was 41 years. Forensic autopsy concluded to a natural cause of death in 57% of the cases, dominated by neoplasia. Suicide was reported in 28% of cases, most frequently by hanging. No cases of torture were reported.

CONCLUSION. In Tunisia, most of the deaths in prisons are the result of end-stage pathology. The request for a judicial autopsy is systematic. Deaths in prisons can be prevented by improving prison health coverage, control of technical devices facilitating suicidal activity, and training of prison staff to identify suicidal crises. © 2017, Editions Alexandre Lacassagne. All rights reserved.

Language: fr

Keywords

Death; Forensic medecine; Police custody; Prison