Custodial death

Origin of the word ‘Custody’

The word ‘Custody’ has been derived from Latin word
‘custos odis’ meaning guardian.
Custodial Death

Defination:
Death occurring in some form of custodial
detention is commonly known as death in
custody,such as police cell or prison.It should
also include death resulting from police or
prison officers attempting to detain a criminal or
a person escaping or attempting to escape from
police custody or prison.
Causes/Circumstances of
custodial death

A)During Arrest
B)During Lockup
Cont……..

A)During Arrest:
1)Traumatic asphyxia:occur if the
offender resists arrest,and a number of policemen
fall upon him to overpower him.
2)Hog tying:in which the person is
placed in prone position with his wrists & ankles
bound behind is back & secured by a cord &
rarely death may occur due to asphyxia.
3)Choke Hold:is designed to
Cont……

Occlude the airways by forearm compression

of the front of the neck & death may occur due
to asphyxia.
4)Carotid sleeper hold:designed to
occlude common carotid artery by compression
producing transient cerebral ishchaemia .
cont…….

B)During lockup:
a)Physical injury:
.may be sustained before he was arrested &
during arrest & may die.
.torture by kicking,stampin,blow over different
parts of the body may cause severe damage& death.

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 .drunken offender may fall on a hard surface on
the occiput.
2) Intoxication:
.Severely intoxicated offender may die of
acute alcohol poisoning.
.Illicit drug carrier may swallow drugs to
avoid detention on being caught & may die suddenly.
 3)Suicide in the custody is common,
.common method is hanging.
.may also include consuming
poisons,jumping from height,cutting throat or a
large blood vessel.
4)Natural causes:Death may also occur
due to natural causes,usually cardiovascular.
Autopsy of a case of Custodial
death

Prior performing post mortem examination,it is

necessary to visit the scene of crime& careful
search should be made of-
.position of the body
.trace evidence left any like left over
food,drinks,any means of self suspension etc.
.any evidence of dragging of body.
Autopsy surgeon should keep in mind that in
case of custodial death,inquest report is
prepared by magistrate.
Incissions at autopsy deserve special
attention.In addition to the usual Y shaped
front incision,back side of the body need to
be scrutinized especially against regions of
shoulders,buttocks,back of the thighs & calf
muscles.
Findigs:
External findings:
a)Signs of violence like
bruise,abrasion,lacerations of different size &
shape may be found over different parts of the
body.
b)Some bruise may be patterned
showing the imprint of causative weapon.
 c)Skull may be found fractured.
d) Fracture, dislocation of different bones & joints
may be found.
e)Signs of asphyxia may be present
Internal Findings:
a)Viscera may be found ruptured.
b)Intestines may be found torned.
c)Testis should be inspected for any
marks of violence.
d)Spinal cord should be examined for any
marks of violence .
***In case of female victim,signs of sexual
assault & pregnancy should also be excluded.
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