Sudden Deaths in Custody (Forensic Science and Medicine) [Hardcover]

Darrell L. Ross (Editor), Ted Chan (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2005 | ISBN-10: 1588294757 | ISBN-13: 978-1588294753 | Edition: 1

This comprehensive review of the medical, legal, psychological, and administrative aspects of violent restraint encounters offers insights into controlling such incidents. The authors assess the medical considerations in such cases, including how the stress of an encounter may influence the physiological responses of the subject, how chemical substances may affect the behavior of and contribute to the death of the person in custody, and offer an explanation of the role of excited delirium. The authors also address the use of force involving neck holds, restraints, aerosols, tasers, and other physical restraints. Numerous examples illustrate the nature and problems associated with sudden in-custody restraint deaths, along with a survey of the issues involved in performing a custodial death investigation and the legal question of civil liability. The authors also discuss risk management strategies, policy and procedure concerns, training issues, subject monitoring, prisoner transportation, officer incident reporting, and investigating an incident from an agency perspective.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews: "The monograph Sudden Deaths in Custody … addresses all relevant aspects in this field. … The two introductory chapters give an overview of the nature of sudden in-custody death and a medical review. … very well written and well referenced, and contains a huge wealth of information. … highly recommended to all dealing with sudden deaths in custody, especially police officers, forensic pathologists, administrators, investigators, medical personnel, and would be useful in civil law suits claiming wrongful death. The text is really authoritative." (B. Madea, Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology, Issue (4), 2008)

From the Back Cover

Sudden custodial deaths in the wake of violent restraint encounters have emerged as a critical issue for police, correctional, and medical care workers around the world. In Sudden Deaths in Custody, leading researchers and experts review the medical, legal, psychological, and administrative aspects of violent restraint encounters and offer insights into controlling such incidents. The authors assess the medical considerations in such cases, including how the stress of an encounter may influence the physiological responses of the subject, how chemical substances may affect the behavior of and contribute to the death of the person in custody, and offer an explanation of the role of excited delirium. The authors also address the use of force involving neck holds, restraints, aerosols, tasers, and other physical restraints. Numerous examples illustrate the nature and problems associated with sudden in-custody restraint deaths, along with a survey of the issues involved in performing a custodial death investigation and the legal question of civil liability. The authors also discuss risk management strategies, policy and procedure concerns, training issues, subject monitoring, prisoner transportation, officer incident reporting, and investigating an incident from an agency perspective. Comprehensive and authoritative, Sudden Deaths in Custody illuminates the many facets of sudden in-custody deaths to better prepare police officers, administrators, investigators, and medical personnel for such events and the frequent civil lawsuits claiming wrongful death.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: Humana Press; 1 edition (November 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1588294757
• ISBN-13: 978-1588294753
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,007,066 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Priceless!, May 13, 2009

By 

B. Machacynski - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sudden Deaths in Custody (Forensic Science and Medicine) (Hardcover)

My job is to train law enforcement officers on the use of physical and deadly force and investigate any excess thereof. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the investigation of sudden in-custody death and presents the information in an unbiased manner. The chapters are well footnoted and well laid out. Don't believe the negative review - it's worth every penny!

3 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Research Before You Waste Money On This Book!, February 13, 2006

By 

Charly Miller (Nebraska) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sudden Deaths in Custody (Forensic Science and Medicine) (Hardcover)

If I could assign a "minus-stars" symbol to this text, I would. Unfortunately, the lowest rating I can assign is one star.

The "editor" of this text first became involved in the subject of "Sudden Deaths in Custody" when he and his compadres were bought and paid for by a deputy district attorney seeking to manufacture a defense for some individuals who killed an individual by forcefully-prone-restraining (and hogtying) him.

If you want to read a comprehensive review of the material this text cites in support of its erroneous assertion that the effects of forceful-prone-restraint are "clinically" insignificant, GOOGLE the phrase, "comprehensive review Chan TC" and click on the "Comprehensive Review of Frequently Misinterpreted and Misrepresented Restraint Research" link. (It should be the first "hit" that comes up.)

After reading that, RETURN TO (or GOOGLE the phrase) "The Restraint Asphyxia Library." Once you're on the Restraint Asphyxia Library's directory page, look in the 2006 section and click on the link to "A COLLECTION of Studies Performed By Anesthesiologists Regarding the Effects of PRONE POSITIONING."

After reading all the above, if you still want to buy Ross & Chan's book, it's your money! Go ahead and waste it.