Research & Reports

Larry Fedja

Unproven science used to ‘explain’ custody deaths

Doctor in the labA 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. 

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Larry Fedja

Corporate manslaughter victory

Mikey - new change in lawThis 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 footage includes interviews with Tippa Naphtali (Mikey Powell Campaign) and Helen Shaw (INQUEST).

The main legislation came into force three years ago but ministers gave public bodies which hold people in detention until now to prepare for it. Campaigners have welcomed the change. Corporations can already be prosecuted for corporate manslaughter or for the equivalent offence (corporate homicide) in Scotland.

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Tippa Naphtali

Survey reveals ‘startling’ level of complaints against the police

Police-Blurred originally published by:
The Independent
2nd September 2010

More than 2,000 police officers had at least three complaints made against them by members of the public over the past year, according to figures released today.

A BBC survey of UK forces showed 2,073 officers were subject to three or more allegations them during 2009/10. Most complaints were about rudeness, assault or failure of duty, according to the Freedom of Information request.

The Police Force of Northern Ireland had the highest number of officers with three or more complaints, at 376. The Metropolitan Police was second with 273 officers, followed by Greater Manchester with 160, Kent with 130 and West Mercia with 117.

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