Citation

Chérif El Khal M, Grill S, Costagliola R, Blanc A, Savall F, Telmon N. Rev. Med. Leg. 2019; 10(2): 57-62.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.medleg.2019.02.002

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The person in custody is under the responsibility and protection of the judicial authority. As a result, any death of an inmate is considered suspect until proven otherwise. Aims: To study the peculiarities of death among individuals detained in the region of Toulouse in France and to suggest preventive measures in order to reduce death rates in prisons.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a descriptive retrospective study of all deaths in detention collated in the Forensic Medicine department of Rangueil teaching hospital in Toulouse, France during a 7-year period 2011 to 2017.

RESULTS: Twenty-five deaths were collected. The deceased were male in 24 cases with a mean age of 44.2 years. Nearly half of those detained were single, and only ¼ were in a relationship. The deaths were of natural causes in 32%, and violent causes were found in 68%. Suicidal death accounted for almost all violent deaths (16/17), and 4 different suicidal means were found: hanging, phlebotomy, mechanical asphyxia by airway obstruction and self-immolation.

CONCLUSION: Any death in custody is considered suspicious because the person deprived of liberty has the right, like any other person, to respect for his life and dignity. Most of these deaths stem from violent causes that require reflection in terms of prevention. © 2019

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; Suicide; Hanging; Autopsy; male; asphyxia; autopsy; Prison; prison; France; hanging; Natural death; Violent death; death; retrospective study; clinical article; phlebotomy; detention; airway obstruction; Article; teaching hospital; custodial care; Detained person