A controversial unproven syndrome with roots in the US is being used in British coroners’ courts to explain why people die after police restraint.
‘Excited delirium’ or ‘sudden-in-custody-death-syndrome’ is a niche diagnosis not yet recognised by the World Health Organisation or any international authority.
A number of leading pathologists have expressed concern about the use of the term in inquests. Listen to Programme >
Individuals in the throes of ‘excited delirium’ are described as aggressive, agitated, displaying bizarre behaviour, insensitive to pain and with superhuman strength until they collapse and die
But research by the Bureau has found that the ‘condition’ has been used by coroners to explain 10 restraint-related deaths that occurred in police custody in England and Wales since the late 1990s.
This clip appeared on BBC West Midlands news following the announcement that police and other bodies can now be prosecuted over deaths in custody in England and Wales. 
The Powell family have announced a candlelight vigil to be held in memory of Mikey Powell who was 
