The use of an alcometer in clinical forensic practice

The Alcohol-Intoxicated Person in Custody: Diagnosis, Differential Diagnosis and Management

Individuals who are intoxicated with alcohol (most commonly ethanol) will commonly be detained by police for a wide range of offenses. It is essential that custody staff are trained to recognize individuals with alcohol use disorders and comorbid health conditions and request medical assistance as required. Forensic physicians and other health care professionals should perform a comprehensive assessment to diagnose alcohol intoxication and ensure that the detainee is fit to be detained and interviewed by police. Forensic pathologists should be aware of the appropriate clinical management of alcohol-intoxicated persons in custody when involved in death in custody investigations.

Fit to be interviewed by the police--an aid to assessment

The assessment of a suspect's fitness to be interviewed by the police is becoming an increasingly important part of a police surgeon's workload. This paper discusses the assessment in terms of the various factors that may render a person prone to providing an involuntary or false confession and proposes an aide memoire to assist the examining doctor.