Medical examination of fitness for police custody in two large German towns |
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Authors: | Steffen Heide Dankwart Stiller Rüdiger Lessig Christine Lautenschläger Michael Birkholz Wiebke Früchtnicht |
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Institution: | (1) Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Halle-Wittenberg, Franzosenweg 1, 06112 Halle, Germany;(2) Institute of Legal and Traffic Medicine, Bremen-Mitte Hospital, Bremen, Germany;(3) Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Computer Science, University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany |
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Abstract: | Worldwide, there is a high risk of medical complications or death in police custody. This risk is often increased by unclear
legislation, a lack of clearly defined responsibility and medical examination standards. Any solution to these problems requires
as a very basis the systematic analysis of the medical examinations that determine whether a person is fit to be detained
in custody. We analysed a total of 3,674 medical records on fitness for custody, taken from two large German towns (Halle/S
and Bremen). The examined individuals were predominantly males or of a younger age. The indication in the majority of cases
was acute alcoholic intoxication or drug withdrawal syndromes. Traumata and internal or mental diseases were also quite frequent.
For approximately 50% of all cases, fitness for custody was declared on certain conditions. Only 39.8% were found to be unconditionally
fit for detention in custody. In just under 10% of the cases, the person was found unfit for custody. These cases concerned
mainly persons with psychological symptoms and advanced alcohol or drug withdrawal syndromes. We were able to show that the
recent introduction of new police custody regulations in Halle/S had a significant influence on the medical decision on fitness
for custody. Our detailed assessment has provided us with the basis to develop solutions for the improvement of medical care
in police custody. The focus lies here on the organisation and legal regulation of the medical aspects of custody but also
on policing and medical work. |
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