Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Preface
- 1 Legal systems: a world view
- 2 Scottish legal system
- 3 The Police in the United Kingdom
- 4 The practitioner's obligations
- 5 The doctor in court
- 6 Custody medicine: physical conditions
- 7 Custody medicine: mental illness and psychological conditions
- 8 Substance misuse
- 9 Alcohol, drugs and driving
- 10 Injury
- 11 Child abuse: physical
- 12 Child abuse: sexual
- 13 Adult sexual offences
- 14 Management of at-risk exposures and infection control in custody
- 15 Scenes of crime
- 16 Forensic science
- 17 Forensic dentistry
- 18 Investigation of death
- 19 Dealing with a major disaster
- 20 Occupational health of police officers
- Index
- References
7 - Custody medicine: mental illness and psychological conditions
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 August 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Preface
- 1 Legal systems: a world view
- 2 Scottish legal system
- 3 The Police in the United Kingdom
- 4 The practitioner's obligations
- 5 The doctor in court
- 6 Custody medicine: physical conditions
- 7 Custody medicine: mental illness and psychological conditions
- 8 Substance misuse
- 9 Alcohol, drugs and driving
- 10 Injury
- 11 Child abuse: physical
- 12 Child abuse: sexual
- 13 Adult sexual offences
- 14 Management of at-risk exposures and infection control in custody
- 15 Scenes of crime
- 16 Forensic science
- 17 Forensic dentistry
- 18 Investigation of death
- 19 Dealing with a major disaster
- 20 Occupational health of police officers
- Index
- References
Summary
Introduction
While certain conditions may be over represented in those in police custody the range of conditions is no different from those present in the general population. Clinical assessment of the detainee should, therefore, be of the same standard and afford the same respect and dignity to that detainee as if it had been carried out elsewhere in a typical clinical setting. The range of options thereafter and the recommendations which can be made differ from practice in the community. Criminal justice and public safety considerations need to be taken into account, although patient care remains of primary importance.
As in other areas of clinical forensic medicine, it cannot be overemphasized how important it is to keep clear, comprehensive, legible contemporaneous notes.
Clinical assessment includes a consultation and an examination of the mental state, supported by gathering background information. The circumstances of the arrest may include details of clinical relevance, and previous convictions may also be helpful in showing a pattern of deteriorating social functioning or a previous psychiatric disposal. The family, friends or local community services may be useful informants. Physical examination is required if there is any suspicion of an organic cause of an abnormal mental state.
A police station is not an easy place in which to make a clear diagnosis. When assessing a detainee, the task is not to make a definitive diagnosis, but rather to determine those cases where expert assessment is indicated, particularly if the use of mental health legislation may be required.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Clinical Forensic Medicine , pp. 69 - 78Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009