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Deaths in police custody
The place where a body is taken after its removal from the place of death.The place where a body is taken after its removal from the place of death.The medically-qualified practitioner who carries out a post–mortem examination.The medically-qualified practitioner who carries out a post–mortem examination.A legal term (Latin for "under judgment") which means that a case is currently at trial or being considered by a judge or court, and so cannot be discussed in public.A legal term (Latin for "under judgment") which means that a case is currently at trial or being considered by a judge or court, and so cannot be discussed in public.Young Offender Institution - prison for people aged 21 and underYoung Offender Institution - prison for people aged 21 and underSecure Training CentreSecure Training Centre(also post-mortem(also postmortem) A medical examination to determine the cause of death, also called an autopsy.) A medical examination to determine the cause of death, also called an autopsy.(also post-mortem(also postmortem) A medical examination to determine the cause of death, also called an autopsy.) A medical examination to determine the cause of death, also called an autopsy.A prosecution for a crime which arises for example from the circumstances of a death.A prosecution for a crime which arises for example from the circumstances of a death.A term used to describe proceedings in the High Court (such as a judicial review) when they are heard by two or more judges.A term used to describe proceedings in the High Court (such as a judicial review) when they are heard by two or more judges.Since 1 October 2009 the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom has taken over the judicial functions of the House of Lords. It is the court of last resort and highest court of appeal in the United Kingdom.Since 1 October 2009 the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom has taken over the judicial functions of the House of Lords. It is the court of last resort and highest court of appeal in the United Kingdom.The person who works for the coronerThe legal official who orders a post-mortem and who is in charge of the inquest procedure. and is responsible for making arrangements for the inquest.The person who works for the coronerThe legal official who orders a post-mortem and who is in charge of the inquest procedure. and is responsible for making arrangements for the inquest.The government's in-house lawyers, who will act for the Prison Service in instructing barristers at inquests.The government's in-house lawyers, who will act for the Prison Service in instructing barristers at inquests.A legal claim for damagesA payment of money in recognition of certain kinds of suffering or injury, also called damages./compensationA payment of money in recognition of certain kinds of suffering or injury, also called damagesA payment of money in recognition of certain kinds of suffering or injury, also called damages...A legal claim for damages/compensationA payment of money in recognition of certain kinds of suffering or injury, also called damages..A legal claim for damages/compensation.A legal claim for damages/compensation.Usually called clinical negligenceClinical negligence is a legal term for a medical accident where a patient has not received care to a proper standard, and that substandard care has also caused the patient a physical injury. Sometimes also called medical negligence., a legal term for a medical accident where a patient has not received care to a proper standard, and that substandard care has also caused the patient a physical injury.Usually called clinical negligenceClinical negligence is a legal term for a medical accident where a patient has not received care to a proper standard, and that substandard care has also caused the patient a physical injury. Sometimes also called medical negligence., a legal term for a medical accident where a patient has not received care to a proper standard, and that substandard care has also caused the patient a physical injury.The part of the Public Funding scheme that allows a solicitor to give advice for the preparation of an inquest for no cost if the client is on income support.The part of the Public Funding scheme that allows a solicitor to give advice for the preparation of an inquest for no cost if the client is on income support.The chief legal officer of the United Kingdom. It is a government cabinet position.The chief legal officer of the United Kingdom. It is a government cabinet position.A form of verdict letting a jury give a longer explanation of what they think are the main or important issues.A form of verdict letting a jury give a longer explanation of what they think are the main or important issues.The highest civil court where cases may be heard for the first time. It also hears appeals and conducts judicial reviewA type of court proceeding in which a High Court judge or judges reviews the lawfulness of the way a decision was made or and action was taken by a public body or official such as a coroner.s, and supervises magistrates and crown courts.The highest civil court where cases may be heard for the first time. It also hears appeals and conducts judicial reviewA type of court proceeding in which a High Court judge or judges reviews the lawfulness of the way a decision was made or and action was taken by a public body or official such as a coroner.s, and supervises magistrates and crown courts.Public means-tested financial assistance for representation during legal proceedings. It is not available for representation at most inquests. The Lord ChancellorThe cabinet minister in the government responsible for the effective running of the legal system in England and Wales. can grant it in exceptional cases.Public means-tested financial assistance for representation during legal proceedings. It is not available for representation at most inquests. The Lord ChancellorThe cabinet minister in the government responsible for the effective running of the legal system in England and Wales. can grant it in exceptional cases.The standard of proof in a civil court cases and for inquest verdicts other than unlawful killing or suicide. In these cases, one outcome need only be more probable than all the others.The standard of proof in a civil court cases and for inquest verdicts other than unlawful killing or suicide. In these cases, one outcome need only be more probable than all the others.An inquest into a death involving the state or state agents is required to be, in many ways, more thorough and wide ranging than inquests that do not engage the duties required by article 2Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights says that the state must not take someone’s life, except in very limited circumstances. The effect of article 2 is that the state has a duty to protect life and to carry out an effective investigation into a death involving the state or state agents. An inquest is normally the way which this is carried outArticle 2Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights says that the state must not take someone’s life, except in very limited circumstances. The effect of article 2 is that the state has a duty to protect life and to carry out an effective investigation into a death involving the state or state agents. An inquest is normally the way which this is carried out of the European Convention on Human Rights says that the state must not take someone’s life, except in very limited circumstances. The effect of article 2 is that the state has a duty to protect life and to carry out an effective investigation into a death involving the state or state agents. An inquest is normally the way which this is carried out of the ECHRThe European Convention on Human Rights is an international treaty to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe, incorporated into UK law as the Human Rights Act 1998. All Council of Europe member states including the UK have signed the Convention..An inquest into a death involving the state or state agents is required to be, in many ways, more thorough and wide ranging than inquests that do not engage the duties required by article 2Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights says that the state must not take someone’s life, except in very limited circumstances. The effect of article 2 is that the state has a duty to protect life and to carry out an effective investigation into a death involving the state or state agents. An inquest is normally the way which this is carried out of the ECHRThe European Convention on Human Rights is an international treaty to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe, incorporated into UK law as the Human Rights Act 1998. All Council of Europe member states including the UK have signed the Convention..An inquest into a death involving the state or state agents is required to be, in many ways, more thorough and wide ranging than inquests that do not engage the duties required by article 2 of the ECHR.An inquest into a death involving the state or state agents is required to be, in many ways, more thorough and wide ranging than inquests that do not engage the duties required by article 2 of the ECHR.The standard of proof in a civil court cases and for inquest verdicts other than unlawful killing or suicide. In these cases, one outcome need only be more probable than all the others.The standard of proof in a civil court cases and for inquest verdicts other than unlawful killing or suicide. In these cases, one outcome need only be more probable than all the others.The standard of
proof in a civil court cases and for inquest
verdicts other than unlawful killing or
suicide. In these cases, one outcome need
only be more probable than all the others.The standard of
proof in a civil court cases and for inquest
verdicts other than unlawful killing or
suicide. In these cases, one outcome need
only be more probable than all the others.The standard of proof in a civil court cases and for inquest verdicts other than unlawful killing or suicide. In these cases, one outcome need only be more probable than all the others.The standard of proof in a civil court cases and for inquest verdicts other than unlawful killing or suicide. In these cases, one outcome need only be more probable than all the others.The highest standard of proof required in legal hearings and needed for returning inquest verdicts of unlawful killing or suicide.The highest standard of proof required in legal hearings and needed for returning inquest verdicts of unlawful killing or suicide.The organisation responsible for providing
Public Funds for legal work.The organisation responsible for providing
Public Funds for legal work.Those people defined in the Coroners Act 1988 as having a right to ask questions at the inquest. Family members such as parents, children, spouses, civil partners or partners of the person who has died automatically come within the definition and can ask questions at the inquest. Other relatives and those with close relationships may also be regarded as Properly Interested Persons.Those people defined in the Coroners Act 1988 as having a right to ask questions at the inquest. Family members such as parents, children, spouses, civil partners or partners of the person who has died automatically come within the definition and can ask questions at the inquest. Other relatives and those with close relationships may also be regarded as Properly Interested Persons.Formerly known as police surgeons, FMEFormerly known as police surgeons, Forensic Medical Examiners or police doctors examine and assess the medical needs of people detained in police custody.s or police doctors examine and assess the medical needs of people detained in police custody.Formerly known as police surgeons, FMEFormerly known as police surgeons, Forensic Medical Examiners or police doctors examine and assess the medical needs of people detained in police custody.s or police doctors examine and assess the medical needs of people detained in police custody.The highest
standard of proof required in legal hearings
and needed for returning inquest verdicts of unlawful killing or suicide.The highest
standard of proof required in legal hearings
and needed for returning inquest verdicts of unlawful killing or suicide.The DPP is a government-appointed legal officer who is the head of, and responsible for, the Crown Prosecution ServiceThe CPS is responsible for deciding whether or not there is enough police evidence to undertake a criminal prosecution for a general criminal offence (e.g. manslaughter) both before and in some cases after the inquest, and whether or not a prosecution is in the public interest..The DPP is a government-appointed legal officer who is the head of, and responsible for, the Crown Prosecution ServiceThe CPS is responsible for deciding whether or not there is enough police evidence to undertake a criminal prosecution for a general criminal offence (e.g. manslaughter) both before and in some cases after the inquest, and whether or not a prosecution is in the public interest..The ECHR is an international treaty to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe, incorporated into UK law as the Human Rights ActThe Human Rights Act 1998 is an Act of Parliament that incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law. 1998. All Council of Europe member states including the UK have signed the Convention.The ECHR is an international treaty to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe, incorporated into UK law as the Human Rights ActThe Human Rights Act 1998 is an Act of Parliament that incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law. 1998. All Council of Europe member states including the UK have signed the Convention.
Below is a breakdown of trends INQUEST has identified in deaths in police custody (or following other forms of contact with the police) since 1993, grouped by calendar year. INQUEST’s figures are derived from our monitoring and casework and are independent of those produced by the Home Office, IPCC and other government agencies. We also monitor deaths in police pursuits and road traffic incidents (RTIs).
An inquest is carried out by a coroner following every death in police custody. If someone you know has died in police custody we strongly recommend you get Help and advice to make sure the circumstances of the death are properly looked in to.
See INQUEST’s policy pages on Deaths in police custody and also:
- BAME deaths in police custody
- Police shootings
| Deaths in police custody or otherwise following contact with the police, England & Wales 1990-date |
| Year |
Type |
Metropolitan Police |
Other Forces |
Total |
| 2012 |
Custody |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Pursuit |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
RTI |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Shooting |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2011 |
Custody |
3 |
18 |
21 |
|
Pursuit |
1 |
6 |
7 |
|
RTI |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Shooting |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Total |
5 |
26 |
31 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2010 |
Custody |
3 |
12 |
15 |
|
Pursuit |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
RTI |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
Shooting |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
3 |
23 |
26 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2009 |
Custody |
4 |
11 |
15 |
|
Pursuit |
1 |
7 |
8 |
|
RTI |
3 |
2 |
5 |
|
Shooting |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Total |
8 |
22 |
30 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2008 |
Custody |
10 |
15 |
25 |
|
Pursuit |
5 |
23 |
28 |
|
RTI |
1 |
8 |
9 |
|
Shooting |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
Total |
18 |
47 |
65 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2007 |
Custody |
6 |
23 |
29 |
|
Pursuit |
3 |
11 |
14 |
|
RTI |
2 |
4 |
6 |
|
Shooting |
3 |
2 |
5 |
|
Total |
14 |
40 |
54 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2006 |
Custody |
4 |
29 |
33 |
|
Pursuit |
3 |
20 |
23 |
|
RTI |
0 |
9 |
9 |
|
Shooting |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Total |
8 |
58 |
66 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2005 |
Custody |
9 |
33 |
42 |
|
Pursuit |
3 |
33 |
36 |
|
RTI |
2 |
7 |
9 |
|
Shooting |
2 |
4 |
6 |
|
Total |
16 |
77 |
93 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2004 |
Custody |
5 |
51 |
56 |
|
Pursuit |
3 |
27 |
30 |
|
RTI |
2 |
7 |
9 |
|
Shooting |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Total |
11 |
86 |
97 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2003 |
Custody |
12 |
50 |
62 |
|
Pursuit |
1 |
28 |
29 |
|
RTI |
0 |
11 |
11 |
|
Shooting |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Total |
14 |
90 |
104 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2002 |
Custody |
11 |
36 |
47 |
|
Pursuit |
3 |
31 |
34 |
|
RTI |
1 |
4 |
5 |
|
Shooting |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Total |
15 |
73 |
88 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2001 |
Custody |
9 |
25 |
34 |
|
Pursuit |
1 |
25 |
26 |
|
RTI |
1 |
8 |
9 |
|
Shooting |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
Total |
13 |
60 |
73 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2000 |
Custody |
5 |
31 |
36 |
|
Pursuit |
2 |
22 |
24 |
|
RTI |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Shooting |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Total |
8 |
57 |
65 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1999 |
Custody |
15 |
32 |
47 |
|
Pursuit |
1 |
7 |
8 |
|
RTI |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
Shooting |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Total |
17 |
46 |
63 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1998 |
Custody |
13 |
52 |
65 |
|
Pursuit |
3 |
7 |
10 |
|
RTI |
1 |
5 |
6 |
|
Shooting |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Total |
17 |
66 |
83 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1997 |
Custody |
15 |
43 |
58 |
|
Pursuit |
1 |
16 |
17 |
|
RTI |
3 |
5 |
8 |
|
Shooting |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
19 |
64 |
83 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1996 |
Custody |
21 |
36 |
57 |
|
Pursuit |
0 |
9 |
9 |
|
RTI |
1 |
4 |
5 |
|
Shooting |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Total |
23 |
50 |
73 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1995 |
Custody |
12 |
36 |
48 |
|
Pursuit |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
RTI |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Shooting |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Total |
14 |
39 |
53 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1994 |
Custody |
16 |
36 |
52 |
|
Pursuit |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
RTI |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Shooting |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
16 |
38 |
54 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1993 |
Custody |
17 |
19 |
36 |
|
Pursuit |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
RTI |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Shooting |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
Total |
19 |
22 |
41 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1992 |
Custody |
15 |
33 |
48 |
|
Pursuit |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
RTI |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Shooting |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Total |
17 |
36 |
53 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1991 |
Custody |
24 |
36 |
60 |
|
Pursuit |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
RTI |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Shooting |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Total |
24 |
41 |
65 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1990 |
Custody |
19 |
40 |
59 |
|
Pursuit |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
RTI |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Shooting |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Total |
21 |
41 |
62 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Total deaths in police custody or otherwise following contact with the police, England & Wales 1990-date |
|
Type |
Metropolitan Police |
Other forces |
Total |
|
Custody |
248 |
698 |
945 |
|
Pursuit |
33 |
283 |
315 |
|
RTI |
19 |
92 |
111 |
|
Shooting |
21 |
32 |
53 |
|
All deaths |
321 |
1105 |
1426 |
Source: INQUEST casework and monitoring
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