Death in custody due to a colopericardial fistula

The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
D J Huddleston, T A Kocoshis

Abstract

Death while in custody is a sensitive issue as it has the potential to cause legal ramifications and political fall-out, to embarrass the law enforcement community, and to incite the general population. Studies of deaths while in custody show that natural deaths are much more common than both suicides and homicides combined. Studies also indicate that natural deaths cluster in the older population, while suicides, on the other hand, occur predominantly in the younger population. We present a summary and discussion of a death in custody that is unique in several aspects. Contrary to the norm, death in this 18-year-old male inmate was natural. It was due to a rare complication (colopericardial fistula) of a surgical procedure (colonic interposition) performed roughly 16 years previously. We believe that our case represents the third example of a colopericardial fistula and the first to occur following corrective surgery for esophageal atresia.

References

Jan 1, 1989·European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery : Official Journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery·J M ParmarJ G Temple
Jul 1, 1989·The British Journal of Surgery·I M MitchellL D Abrams
Dec 1, 1987·The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology·B P Lanphear
Jul 1, 1987·The Annals of Thoracic Surgery·J Isolauri, H Markkula
Jun 1, 1984·The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology·A R Copeland

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Citations

Mar 13, 2014·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Christian SloaneGary M Vilke
Jun 8, 2001·Forensic Science International : Synergy·M D Pérez-CárcelesE Osuna
Apr 8, 2009·Seminars in Pediatric Surgery·Ahmed AbdalwahabJean-Martin Laberge
Jun 9, 2012·Diseases of the Esophagus : Official Journal of the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus·U Imran HamidK McManus
Jun 27, 2014·Journal of Bioethical Inquiry·Géraldine RuizBernice Simone Elger
Apr 2, 2021·Medicine, Science, and the Law·Sunday S SoyemiJohn O Obafunwa

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