|
 |
|
|
|
When you FIRST VISIT this Library, PUL-LEAZE read the
Special Animated Icons:
As of 2006, many articles linked from this Library’s Directory Page are PDF files.
Links to Pages from FORENSIC TEXTBOOKS can be found at
If YOU have a Restraint-Asphyxia-Related article that is
To DO that, EMAIL ME!!!
Apparently, Guest Books have become “SPAM” targets. So, I discontinued mine.
A Knee In The Neck of Excited Delirium
Blood Factors of Sus scrofa Following a Series of
Asphyxial Games in Children and Adolescents
Fatal Positional Asphyxia Associated With Rollover Crashes
Postmortem Serum Catecholamine Levels in Relation to the Cause of Death
Sudden Death due to Sickle Cell Crisis During Law Enforcement Restraint*
Aggressive Behavior and Posterior Cerebral Artery Stroke.*
Letter to the Editor Regarding; Acidosis, Lactate, Electrolytes,
Existence of 'Excited Delirium' Debated in Nevada
Restraint Asphyxia in In-Custody Deaths;
Sudden Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) Recorded in Ambulatory EEG
'Excited Delirium' a Debatable State
Handcuffing Procedures & Preventing Restraint Asphyxia
Ventilatory and Metabolic Demands During
Acidosis, Lactate, Electrolytes, Muscle Enzymes, and Other Factors in the
The May 2006 version of Conner’s 2002 “Excited Delirium” article.
Does Physical Restraint Impact
A Collection of TASER-RELATED ARTICLES
Excited Delirium and its Medical Status*
The Varied Faces of Excited Delirium*
The October 2005 version of Conner’s 2002 “Excited Delirium” article.
A Father's Quest: A Lawyer Sues His Former Client
Medical Investigations of Homicides of Prisoners of War in Iraq and Afghanistan
Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy;
Does Weight Force During Physical Restraint Cause Respiratory Compromise?*
TWO JEMS ARTICLES:
Cocaine, Excited Delirium and Sudden Unexpected Death*
Death Due to Positional Asphyxia Under Severe Alcoholisation:
Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy; A Retrospective Study*
Sudden In-Custody Death Syndrome*
Traumatic Asphyxial Deaths Due to an Uncontrolled Crowd*
Weight Force During Prone Restraint and Respiratory Function*
Reenactment of Circumstances in Deaths Related to Restraint*
Drug-Induced Rhabdomyolysis
LETTERS REGARDING the NAME POSITION PAPER and the
Response to the NAME position paper
Positional Asphyxia: Inadequate Oxygen, or Inadequate Theory?*
Comparison of Heart Mass in Seizure Patients Dying of Sudden Unexplained
Negligent Homicide by Traumatic Asphyxia*
Death Following Atypical Compression of the Neck
Excited Delirium*
Cause and Manner of Death in Drug-Related Fatality:
Does Weight Force During Physical Restraint Cause
Positional Asphyxia: Reflection On 2 Cases*
Inflicted Compressional Asphyxia of a Child*
An Evaluation of Four Programs for the Management
RHABDOMYOLYSIS
Sudden Death During Arrest and Phencyclidine Intoxication*
Custody-Related Deaths in Durban, South Africa 1998-2000
Adverse Effects Associated With Physical Restraint*
Caring for Our Patients & Ourselves; Count Your Fingers;
Managing the Combative Patient: Techniques Used by EMS Providers*
A Survivor's Story: Saved By A Pileup
Deaths Associated With Restraint Use in Health and
Management of the Violent Patient*
JEMS 2-Part “Use of Restraint – Tricks of the Trade” Column*
CHAS’ REVIEW of this 2-Part Column
Letters to the JEMS EDITOR About Dick’s Restraint Columns
Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy: Neuropathologic Findings
Another “In-Custody Death” Article*
Patient Restraint in Emergency Medical Services Systems*
Chan et al’s Letter to the Editor Re: PATIENT RESTRAINT IN EMS
Low-dose Carbicarb improves cerebral outcome
The Lethal Hazard of Prone Restraint:
New Thoughts About What Causes Cocaine Toxicity
Rhabdomyolysis
Exercise Restraint*
The Effect of Oleoresin Capsicum "Pepper" Spray
Pepper Spray’s Effects on a Suspect’s Ability to Breathe*
Death by Overlaying and Wedging:
Morphologic Determinants of Asphyxia in Lungs.
Factors Associated With Sudden Death of
Sudden Death Following Neuroleptic Administration
Agitated Delirium and Sudden Death: Two Case Reports
Cocaine-Excited Delirium and Severe Acidosis
The Medical-Legal Issues Surrounding Patient Restraint
Death of a Psychiatric Patient During Physical Restraint.
CHAS’ REVIEW of Death of a Psychiatric Patient During Physical
Mechanisms of Injury and Death Proximal to Restraint Use
Asphyxial Deaths and Petechiae: a Review
Sickle Cell Anemia: A Case Study Approach
Restraint-Related Fatalities in Mental Health Facilities:
Blood Cocaine and Metabolite Concentrations, Clinical Findings,
Death In Custody*
Cocaine Metabolism In Hyperthermic Patients With Excited Delirium*
Custody Restraint Asphyxia; A letter to the Editor*
Asphyxial Death During Prone Restraint Revisited:
Letter to the Editor RE: Asphyxial Death During
CRIES OF ANGUISH: A Summary of Reports of
Comparison of Respiratory Function in the Prone Maximal Restraint
The Autism National Committee: Position On Restraints
Cocaine-Associated Rhabdomyolysis and Excited Delirium:
The Effects of Positional Restraint on Heart Rate and Oxygen Saturation
Drug Abusers Who Die During Arrest Or In Custody
Fatal Incidences During Arrest of Highly Agitated Persons*
Factors Associated With Excited Delirium Deaths in Police Custody*
Restraint and Sudden Death From Asphyxia
Preventing Restraint Deaths*
Reexamination of Custody Restraint Position and Positional Asphyxia*
Go To Letters To The Editor Re: Reexamination of Custody Restraint
Unexpected Death Related to Restraint for Excited Delirium:
Death In Custody
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, San Diego, California:
Restraint Position and Positional Asphyxia*
(2) A Comprehensive Review of Frequently Misinterpreted and
(3) “Police Hogtie Restraint Doesn’t Kill, Evidence Now Shows”*
Acute Excited States and Sudden Death
Very IMPORTANT USING This LIBRARY information!!!
If you don’t do that, you’ll not understand how best to USE the Restraint Asphyxia Library,
nor what it’s many SPECIAL SYMBOLS mean.
This icon indicates an article – or article collection – that is vitally IMPORTANT
for one or all of the following reasons:
• It contributes to understanding the “basics” about restraint asphyxia.
• It contains TRUE (“unbiased”) facts about restraint asphyxia incidents.
• It contains LIGITIMATE (“unbiased”) restraint-asphyxia-related research information.
Be sure to read EVERY article prefaced by this icon!
An animated Pink-Push-Pin Icon indicates an “OLD” article that was recently added.
If you are someone “revisiting” this site, scroll down and check them out!
If you don’t have an Adobe Acrobat PDF file reader program, download a FREE version HERE.
the “bottom” of this Library Directory Page.
NOT POSTED in this Library, Pul-LeaZe EMAIL IT TO ME!!!
I prefer that you send me its PDF file version, OR … its MS Word document version.
But, if all you’ve got is a “Hard Copy” of the article,
plz make the BEST possible SCAN of each page (creating a JPG file of each page),
and then send each of those jpg files to me so that I can make a PDF file of them.
THANX!
about this Library – or ME (Charly)!
My Email link is at the bottom of every page on this site.
USE ONE!
Text in BLUE Color = CHAS comments about the article.
A Collection of Studies Performed By ANESTHESIOLOGISTS
Regarding the Effects of PRONE POSITIONING
I added several articles to this collection in April of 2008.
This article Collection Directory was started in February, 2006.
CITATION: Truscott A. A knee in the neck of excited delirium.
CMAJ March 11, 2008; 178 (6).
This is a well written, balanced, news article.
Although nothing “new” is presented in this article, it aptly demonstrates
how those who persist in blaming excited delirium – alone! – for causing
deaths associated with asphyxial forms of restraint (or Taser fires),
STILL FAIL to provide a shred of support for their claims.
One would expect them to HAVE SOME SUPPORT to cite by now,
IF such support could be obtained!
This article was originally posted March 11, 2008.
Three TASER® Electronic Control Device Exposures
CITATION: Jauchem JR, Cook MC, Beason CW. Blood factors of Sus scrofa
following a series of three TASER® electronic control device exposures.
Forensic Sci Int March 2008: V175; Issue2-3, Pages 166-170.
Transient increases in blood glucose, lactate, sodium, potassium, calcium,
and pCO2 were consistent with previous reports … it is unlikely that
this would be an indicator of any serious harm.
Like Jauchem et al’s previous Pig study, this one provides NO support for their
suggestion that is “safe” to subject human beings to Taser fires (whether or not
they are being subjected to forceful-prone-restraint before, during, or after Taser fires).
Thus, I did not BUY this article. If you buy it, send me its full pdf file, & I’ll post it.
This article’s ABSTRACT was originally posted February 11, 2008, here
and in the TASER COLLECTION.
CITATION: Andrew TA, Fallon KK. Asphyxial games in children and adolescents.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol; December 2007, 28(4):303-307.
Presented are characteristics of victims of this practice that may help
distinguish these deaths from suicidal asphyxia.
This article’s ABSTRACT was originally posted November 29, 2007.
CITATION: Conroy C, Eastman AB, Stanley C, Vilke GM, Vaughan T, Hoyt DB,
Pacyna S. Fatal positional asphyxia associated with rollover crashes.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol; December 2007, 28(4):330-332.
Although this is a rare cause of motor vehicle related death, our results
suggest that these are potentially preventable deaths.
This article’s ABSTRACT was originally posted November 29, 2007.
CITATION: Bao-Li Zhu, Takaki Ishikawa, Tomomi Michiue, Dong-Ri Li, Dong Zhao,
Li Quan, Shigeki Oritani, Yasumori Bessho and Hitoshi Maeda.
Postmortem serum catecholamine levels in relation to the cause of death.
Forensic Sci Int; 20 December 2007: V173; Issues(2-3), Pages 122-129.
… significantly higher cardiac blood levels were observed for Adr and Nad in injury
and asphyxiation cases … These findings differed markedly from clinical observations
and suggest that the postmortem serum catecholamine levels may reflect the magnitude
of physical stress responses during the process of death in individual cases.
This article’s ABSTRACT was originally posted November 29, 2007.July, Aug, Sep & Nov 2007 Articles Added to the TASER COLLECTION
CHAS’ OVERVIEW of these ARTICLES’ HIGHLIGHTS:
when he VOLUNTEERS to be TASERed;
and concluded that the increased blood lactate & decreased pH they suffered
is something that should NOT be considered “CLINICALLY SIGNIFICANT.”
Kinda’ makes you wonder who REALLY paid for that study, doesn’t it?
CITATION: Channa Perera SD, Pollanen MS. Sudden death due to sickle cell crisis
during law enforcement restraint. J of Forensic Legal Med V 14, Issue 5 (July 2007); pgs 297–300.
In summary, we have presented a case of sudden death from vaso-occlusive sickle
cell crisis due to hypernatremic dehydration in a schizophrenic patient with sickle cell
trait. This case indicates that not all deaths occurring during restraint are necessarily due
to mechanical asphyxia or excited delirium leading to cardiac arrhythmia, but may be due
to a previously undiagnosed condition that is fatal.
Channa Perera & Pollanen did NOT present a case study clearly
identifying an episode of Sickle Cell Crisis having been the “cause” of a death that
occurred during restraint. In fact, with this report, Channa Perera & Pollanen have quite
clearly demonstrated their membership in the ranks of dishonorable individuals seeking
ONLY to absolve restrainers from being held responsible for killing children and adults
when they persist in employing unsafe methods of restraint.
This article was originally posted on July 2, 2007.
The review was originally posted on July 11, 2007.
The REFERENCES section of this CHAS Review also serves as a
DIRECTORY OF SICKLE CELL TRAIT
& RESTRAINT-RELATED ARTICLES
CITATION: Botez SA, Carrera E, Maeder P, Bogousslavsky J. Aggressive behavior and
posterior cerebral artery stroke. Arch Neurol. 2007 (June);64: 1029-33.
2007JulyCerebralArteryRestraint.pdf
The patients became agitated and aggressive when they were stimulated by the
environment, and they responded to solicitations by their relatives or medical personnel
by shouting obscenities and hitting and biting others. In all of the 3 cases, temporary
physical restraint was required and neuroleptics were administered.
This ABSTRACT ONLY was originally posted on July 10, 2007.
Muscle Enzymes, and Other Factors in the Blood of Sus Scrofa [Pigs]
Following Repeated TASER® Exposures.
CITATION: Miller CD. Letter to the editor regarding; Acidosis, lactate, electrolytes,
muscle enzymes, and other factors in the blood of Sus scrofa following repeated
TASER® exposures. [And an Article Author’s REPLY]
Forensic Sci Int; 03 May 2007: V168; Issue(1), Pages e17-e18[e19]
I had to pay $30 to obtain the PUBLISHED version of my own letter! That document
did not include an Article Author’s REPLY page. Since there is no way in HELL that I’m
going to pay another $30 to buy the published version of an Article Author’s reply, I
have posted the “Article In Press” version of Jauchem’s reply. (There is no reason to suspect
that his reply would have been changed in any way prior to publication.)
My REVIEW of Jauchem’s REPLY is included in this PDF document!
The “Article In Press” version of my Editor Letter was originally posted in February 2007.
The final (May-published) version of my letter was posted in June 2007.
CITATION: Goldman A. Existence of excited delirium debated in Nevada.
Las Vegas Sun, April 27, 2007:
http://www.emsresponder.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=5256
"It's a person who is manifesting very bizarre, violent behavior, who struggles and
then dies suddenly for no apparent explainable reason," said John Peters, president of the
Institute for the Prevention of In-Custody Deaths, a Henderson, Nev. consulting firm that
trains law enforcement to recognize and respond to excited delirium. "They exhaust
themselves to death, that's basically what happens."
Peters’ company makes money training law enforcement officers how to avoid being
held responsible for causing restraint asphyxia death, rather than training them how to
avoid causing restraint asphyxia deaths. IPICD is also “in bed with” Taser
International. (They have TASER’s attorney, Michael Brave, providing presentations
about “important legal theories and cases about sudden and in-custody deaths.”
Additionally, Brave is the President of LAAW International, Inc – one of IPICD’s
two “sponsors”!!!) Still, the “bottom line” hasn’t changed. Until an “excited delirium
death” occurring in the absence of an asphyxial form of restraint is documented,
excited delirium cannot legitimately be blamed for a restraint-related death.
This article was originally posted on July 11, 2007.
Medical Examiner’s Role in Prevention of Deaths
CITATION: Sathyavagiswaran L, Rogers C, Noguchi TT. Restraint asphyxia in in-custody deaths;
Medical examiner’s role in prevention of deaths. Legal Medicine 9 (2007) 88–93.
The role of the Medical Examiner is not only to determine the cause and manner of
deaths, but also to take action in informing the appropriate agencies to reduce
unnecessary deaths and suggest appropriate actions for correction.
The majority of suggestions offered by these authors are excellent. However, the
“undetermined” manner of death classification parameters they arrived at during a
“joint meeting with the DA and police chiefs” are disingenuous – at best.
This article was originally posted on July 2, 2007.
CITATION: McLean BN, Wimalaratna S. Sudden death in epilepsy (SUDEP) recorded in
amublatory EEG. J. Neurol. Neurosurg Psychiatry published online 27 Mar 2007;
doi:10.1136/jnnp.2006.088492.
We postulate that abrupt irreversible Cerebral Electrical Shutdown (CES)
during a seizure may be the primary mechanism of SUDEP.
This article was originally posted on July 2, 2007.
CITATION: Lawrence-Turner J. Excited delirium a debatable state.
Spokesman Review (Spokane, WA), March 28, 2007:
http://www.emsresponder.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=5088
Even if medical experts dispute "excited delirium" as a valid physical state,
Spokane County's first responders have decided to consider it real. …
Dr. Sally Aiken, the county's medical examiner, cited two deaths where excited
delirium may have been a factor. In February 2006, John W. Stanley, 52, died in a motel
room following a fight. He had been restrained by five people. Otto Zehm, a mentally ill
janitor, died in March 2006 after being hogtied and placed on his stomach following a
scuffle with several police officers.
Until an “excited delirium death” occurring in the absence of an asphyxial form
of restraint is documented, excited delirium cannot legitimately be blamed for a restraint-related death.
This article was originally posted on July 11, 2007.
CITATION: Campbell RK; HandcuffingProcedures
Miller CD; Preventing Restraint Asphyxia
“The Journal” Spring 2007; pgs 79-81.
RK CAMPBELL QUOTES:
“Proper handcuff use is important, a mistake may have lethal consequences. …
A caution is to be especially careful in handcuffing obese offenders. On one
occasion a female offender who slipped out of the cuffs injured me.”
I can’t find this POLICE journal online, and the story of how I received this segment
of its “Spring 2007” issue is rather BIZARRE!
Basically, this Houston-based police journal was publishing RK Campbell’s
“Handcuffing Procedures” article. But, it was only two pages long and they needed a
third page of handcuffing “tips” to fill their issue. So, the editor searched the Internet and
found my “Two Vital Tips to Help Law Enforcement Officers Avoid Causing Restraint Asphyxia”
article. The Journal’s editor slightly EDITED and then PUBLISHED my material –
without asking my permission to do so! I never would have learned of this (I don’t
subscribe to this journal and it isn’t online). But, after publication, the editor received an
Email from an attorney who had read The Journal, and wished to speak me about my
material! So, the editor contacted me to accomplish that, and only THEN did I learn
that they’d published my material!
Since the essence of my Two Vital Tips remained unchanged, I didn’t grouse about their
unauthorized publication. Furthermore, RK Campbell entirely failed to address prone
handcuffing procedure dangers. So, it is good that my material was added to his! LOL
This article is in PDF form, and was originally posted in June, 2007.
Aggressive Physical Restraint In HEALTHY Adults*
Oh YEAH. Chan et al have been AT IT AGAIN!
On the page linked above, you’ll FIRST be offered the CHAS REVIEW!
REVIEW CITATION: Miller CD. A comprehensive review of the
January 2007 Chan et al ‘aggressive physical restraint’ study report
and questions that will ‘defeat’ those who cite it.
November 2007; http://www.charlydmiller.com/LIB11/2007JanChanArticleReview.pdf
THEN you’ll be given a link to the CHAN et al ARTICLE:
Michalewicz BA, Chan TC, Vilke GM, Levy SS, Neuman TS, Kolkhorst FW.
Ventilatory and metabolic demands during aggressive physical restraint in healthy adults.
J Forensic Sci, January 2007, Vol. 52, No. 1; pgs 171-175.
This article AND its REVIEW were originally posted in November, 2007.
(Yes! I found it rather LATE in the game, and it took me a while to Review. Sue me! LOL)
Learning From Tragedy: A Survey of
Child and Adolescent Restraint Fatalities.
CITATION: Nunno MA, Holden MJ, Tollar A. Learning from tragedy: A survey of child and
adolescent restraint fatalities. Child Abuse & Neglect Vol 30,12(December 2006); pgs 1333–1342.
This descriptive study examines 45 child and adolescent fatalities related to
restraints in residential (institutional) placements in the United States from 1993 to 2003.
… All restraint positions were represented in this sample and all positions can be lethal,
especially when misapplied or misused.
This article was originally posted on July 2, 2007.
Blood of Sus Scrofa [PIGS] Following Repeated TASER® Exposures*
CITATION: Jauchem JR, Sherry CJ, Fines DA and Cook MC.
Acidosis, lactate, electrolytes, muscle enzymes, and other factors in the
blood of Sus scrofa following repeated TASER® exposures.
Forensic Sci Int; 10 August 2006: V161; Issue(1);pgs 20-30.
This study discovered that rested and anesthetized pigs suffered:
• “severe acidemia” for at least an hour after TASER exposure
• “increases in hematocrit, potassium, and sodium” for at least 30 minutes
post TASER exposure
• “significantly decreased” oxygen saturation “immediately after” being TASED,
that “returned to pre-exposure levels within 30 min.”
Considering those very important findings, imagine how much MORE
acidemia, electrolyte imbalance, and decreased oxygen saturation would be suffered by a
TASED HUMAN BEING who had been extremely exerting her/himself prior to TASER
exposure, AND extremely exerting her/himself during the struggle and forceful restraint
that occurred after being shot with a TASER!
This article was originally posted in August of 2006.
It was linked both HERE and in the TASER COLLECTION directory.
Motion Passes In June of 2006! Dr. Neuman Is PRECLUDED From Testifying
That The Prone Position Is “Physiologically Neutral” Because The Chan et al
Studies’ Findings Are “IRRELEVANT” To Real Life Situations.
CITATION: Miller CD. Motion passes in June of 2006! Dr. Neuman is precluded from testifying that the prone
position is “physiologically neutral” because the Chan et al studies’ findings are “irrelevant” to real life situations.
http://www.charlydmiller.com/LIB09/2006JUN26ChanEtAlPrecluded.html
I was able to convince the judge to preclude Dr. Neuman from testifying that the prone position is
“physiologically neutral” on the basis that his studies are irrelevant.
I am told that this was the first time that he was so-precluded.
Happily, Mr. McManus (the attorney quoted above) contributed the motion he wrote
to accomplish this landmark action to this library, so that it could be shared with others.
This article was originally posted in April, 2007.
Citation: Conner MG. Excited Delirium, restraint asphyxia, positional asphyxia and ‘in-custody death’ Syndromes:
Controversial theories that may explain why some children in treatment programs die when restrained.
Originally published on the Struggling Teens Website (http://www.strugglingteens.com on November 15, 2002)
This is an allegedly “updated” version of the 2002 article. But, just like it’s 2002 and 2005 versions,
this article STILL is of little to NO merit. In fact, I still can’t find a single “updated” part of it!
Even in 2006, Conner ENTIRELY FAILS to caution against the use of forceful-prone-restraint
when children and teens are being restrained. Apparently, Conner STILL doesn’t have a CLUE!
This article was originally posted in July 2006.
It is a PDF file. There is no “return link” to here from there.
Metabolic Oxygen Consumption During Exertion?*
CITATION: Chan TC, Vilke GM, Michalewicz BA, Neuman T, Levy S, Kolkhorst F.
Does physical restraint impact metabolic oxygen consumption during exertion?
Acad Emerg Med May 2006;13 S46.
http://www.aemj.org/cgi/content/abstract/13/5_suppl_1/S46?etoc
“During the 60-second test, subjects were asked and encouraged
to struggle and maximally exert themselves…”
This report is of YET ANOTHER entirely UNHELPFUL study designed and implemented by
the Chan et al types. I've lost count. Is this the 4th or 5th (or more!) entirely unhelpful
study they've wasted hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars on?
To understand the VALIDITY of the statement above, be SURE to see the collection of
Anesthesiologist Studies (coming NEXT) … AND, be SURE to read my 2005
“Comprehensive Review of Frequently Misinterpreted & Misrepresented Restraint Research”!
This article was originally posted May 1, 2006.A Collection of Studies Performed By ANESTHESIOLOGISTS
Regarding the Effects of PRONE POSITIONING
WOW!!! On February 6, 2006, I discovered that “ANESTHESIOLOGISTS” have performed
and published LOADS of clinical studies consistently documenting the FACT that,
If a position interferes with abdominal excursion, it interferes with breathing.
Furthermore, they PROVED this FACT long before Reay et al began their research (1988)!
Most importantly; this collection clearly and concretely demonstrates that
ALL the “CHAN ET AL” studies & opinions related to prone positioning
are ENTIRELY WITHOUT MERIT!
This article Collection Directory was started in February, 2006.Sickle Cell Anaemia and Deaths in Custody in the UK and the USA
CITATION: Dyson SM, Boswell G. Sickle cell anaemia and deaths in custody in the UK and the USA.
The Howard Journal. February 2006, Vol 45; No 1: pp. 14–28
http://www.sicklecellsociety.org/pdf/SCDeathCustody.pdf
Justice authorities have misused sickle cell trait to explain away ten sudden deaths
This article was posted in relationship to CHAS’ review of
Sudden Death due to Sickle Cell Crisis During Law Enforcement Restraint
This article was originally posted on July 2, 2007.Tasers Implicated in Excited Delirium Deaths
(Part Two of a two-part news report about excited delirium. Part One is below.)
[For some unknown reason, I couldn’t create a PDF file from the MSWord doc I
cut-&-pasted the info from this article’s website to! So, I had to create one from the
WEBPAGE. All the ADS and extraneous LINKS are in this document. If you print it,
do NOT print the pages with only that kind of krappe.]
CITATION: Sullivan L. Tasers implicated in excited delirium.
NPR: All Things Considered, Feb 27, 2006:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7622314
Civil-liberties groups fear that the diagnosis is being used to cover up police
abuse — and to protect companies like Taser International from lawsuits. … As
several officers hold Williams down, he is stunned six more times. A few minutes later,
the officers realize Williams is not breathing. … Taser International spokesman Steve
Tuttle acknowledges that each year, his company sends hundreds of pamphlets to
medical examiners explaining how to detect excited delirium.
Even though these are “news reports,” and don’t clearly discuss the manner of
restraint employed, they do a pretty good job of demonstrating the motivations of people
who seek to absolve restrainers from responsibility for causing asphyxial death.
This article was originally posted on July 11, 2007.Death by Excited Delirium: Diagnosis or Coverup?
(Part One of a two-part news report about excited delirium. Part Two is above.)
[For some unknown reason, I couldn’t create a PDF file from the MSWord doc I
cut-&-pasted the info from this article’s website to! So, I had to create one from the
WEBPAGE. All the ADS and extraneous LINKS are in this document. If you print it,
do NOT print the pages with only that kind of krappe.]
CITATION: Sullivan L. Death by excited delirium: Diagnosis or coverup?
NPR: All Things Considered, Feb 26, 2006:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7608386
Balaban charges that police officials are using the diagnosis "as a means of white-
washing what may be excessive use of force and inappropriate use of control techniques
by officers during an arrest." … According to Dr. Vincent Di Maio, "What these people
are dying of is an overdose of adrenaline." … He says the condition typically arises
after officers have wrestled down an uncooperative suspect.
Riiiight. Adrenaline overdose that “arises” after some form of restraint asphyxiates
someone. Sure, Dr. DiMaio, that makes loads of sense. (NOT!) The “BOTTOM LINE”
remains the same. Until an “excited delirium death” occurring in the absence of an
asphyxial form of restraint is documented, excited delirium cannot legitimately be
blamed for a restraint-related death. Dear Dr. DiMaio cannot cite even a single case
of death occurring solely due to excited delirium!
This article was originally posted on July 11, 2007.
This collection includes Charly D. Miller’s “The Truth About Tasers” article.
If you’re researching a case involving TASER use, you need to read these articles!
This Collection of TASER-RELATED ARTICLES (published between 2004 and 2006)
was originally posted in this LIBRARY on January 24, 2006.
CITATION: Lawrence C. Excited delirium and its medical status.
Police One dot Com: Jan 20, 2006, Beat 1 Exclusive,
http://policeone.com/legal/articles/121675/
My experience over the past six years leads me to wonder if medical
specialization may be hampering the appreciation of ED and sudden deaths.
Oh, WOW – do I agree with that!
This article was originally posted February 13, 2006.
CITATION: Lawrence C. The varied faces of excited delirium.
Police One dot Com: Oct 28, 2005; Beat 1 Exclusive,
http://policeone.com/writers/columnists/clawrence/articles/120458/
The classic signs of ED arise during the altercation, at a time when it is
difficult for the officer to assess the totality of the situation.
This article was originally posted February 13, 2006.
Citation: Conner MG. Excited Delirium, restraint asphyxia, positional asphyxia and ‘in-custody death’ Syndromes:
Controversial theories that may explain why some children in treatment programs die when restrained.
Originally published on the Struggling Teens Website (http://www.strugglingteens.com on November 15, 2002)
This is an allegedly “updated” version of the 2002 article. But, just like it’s original 2002 verson,
this article STILL is of little to NO merit. In fact, I can’t find a single “updated” part of it!
Even in 2005, Conner ENTIRELY FAILS to caution against the use of
forceful-prone-restraint when children and teens are being restrained.
This article was originally posted in July 2006.
It is a PDF file. There is no “return link” to here from there.A Comprehensive Review of Frequently Misinterpreted and
Misrepresented Restraint Research
CITATION: Miller CD. A comprehensive review of frequently misinterpreted and misrepresented restraint research.
THREE PARTS, posted in February, March, & August, 2005
http://www.charlydmiller.com/LIB05/2005chasresearchreview.html
Misinterpretation and misrepresentation of research and review articles can have deadly consequences.
The primary purpose of this THREE-PART review is to assist others to understand the
TRUE content of three particular articles.
This is accomplished by providing accurate explanations of each article’s CONTENT;
and by providing substantiated BACKGROUND INFORMATION relevant to the
authors’ “MOTIVATION” for performing the studies and reviews that generated these
articles: information NOT available to the majority of readers – information not even
available to many professionals who subscribe to the journals that published these articles!
PART ONE was originally posted in February, 2005.
PART TWO was originally posted in March, 2005.
PART THREE was posted on August 1st, 2005.
A PDF FILE of all 3 parts and the reference list was finally posted in December, 2005!
It can be accessed from any of the pages in this collection.
– A School For Troubled Kids –
When His Own Son Dies Under Questionable Circumstances
CITATION: Kotb, H. A father's quest: A lawyer sues his former client – a school for troubled kids –
when his own son dies under questionable circumstances. A DATELINE NBC Story; July 31, 2005.
This is a terrifically SAD story. But, it is a story that clearly demonstrates the LACK OF JUSTICE
(and the LACK OF CHANGE) commonly accomplished by the US Legal System –
specifically when it comes to restraint asphyxia deaths, and the litigation they generate.
This article was originally posted August 2nd, 2005.
Citation: Miles SH; Medical investigations of homicides of prisoners
of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Medscape General Medicine July 5, 2005;7(3)
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/507284_1
Incidents are discussed of “Homicide by torture method (eg, asphyxia) that was not recognized as cause of
death.”; as well as an incident specifically described as, “It seems likely that Mr. Kenami died of positional
asphyxia because of how he was restrained, hooded, and positioned.” …; and, an incident of an individual who
was “beaten, stuffed headfirst into a sleeping bag, and sat on until he died. A paramedic
could not resuscitate him; a military surgeon declared death by natural causes.”
This article concretely documents how “Several Defense Department practices facilitate obstructing the
medical evaluation of a death so that investigators are less likely to substantiate that a homicide
occurred.”; and makes it very clear that, “Our national reputation and interests were harmed by these failures.”
How can we expect those who capture American soldiers to honor the Geneva Convention,
when AMERICA DOESN’T HONOR IT?
This article was originally posted here September 6th, 2005.
Is Death by Seizures a Cardiac Disease?*
CITATION: P-Codrea Tigaran S, Dalager-Pedersen S, Baandrup U, et al.
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: is death by seizures a cardiac disease?
Am J Forensic Med Pathol, Jun 2005, 26(2) p99–105.
I really wish that researchers performing reviews of potential “SUDEP” deaths would finally
begin to include investigation of the possibility that positional asphyxia forms of death are
occasionally misidentified as SUDEP deaths.
This article was originally posted in June, 2005.
CITATION: Vilke GM, Michalewicz B, Kolkhorst FW, Neuman T, Chan TC;
Does weight force during physical restraint cause respiratory compromise?
Acad Emerg Med May 2005;12(5 Supplement 1): page 16.
GADZ! They’re at it AGAIN!!!
This is yet ANOTHER entirely UNHELPFUL “study” supervised (if not designed)
by the Chan et al bunch (aka, the “Misrepresentation Kings”).
This article was originally posted in September 2005.
A Rational Response to Taser Strikes
AND Don’t Be Shocked*
[Either of the above links will take you to the same page.]
CITATIONS:
Whitehead, S. A rational response to Taser strikes. JEMS 2005 May; 30(5):pgs 56-66.
Heightman AJ; From the editor; Don’t be shocked. JEMS 2005 May; 30(5):pgs 12,32.
In “A Rational Response to Taser Strikes,” Whitehead presented a terrifically
IRRATIONAL discussion of Taser stikes and restraint-asphyxia-related deaths.
In “From the Editor; Don’t Be Shocked,” Editor A.J. Heightman’s statements were SHOCKING!!!
This article was originally posted September 2nd, 2005.
Citation: Sztajnkrycer MD, Baez AA. Cocaine, excited delirium and sudden
unexpected death. Emerg Med Serv, Apr 2005, 34(4) p77-81
“Placing restrained individuals in a prone position has the potential to physically interfere with
diaphragm movement. … Current data neither support nor refute positional asphyxia secondary
to prone positioning and use of hobble restraints in the initial arrest of these patients.”
This is the “BEST” excited delirium article I've ever read! BUT … ONLY because these authors:
• Rightly attributed “diaphragm movement” interference for causing the asphyxia
• Came closer than any others (so far) to clearly identifying that there has NEVER
been a case report published of an "excited delirium" death occurring in the absence
of an asphyxial form of restraint application.
This article was originally posted in October 2005.
Pathophysiologic and Forensic Considerations
CITATION: Padosch SA, Schmidt PH, Kröner LU and Madea B; Death due to positional asphyxia under severe
alcoholisation: pathophysiologic and forensic considerations. Forensic Sci Int, 20 April 2005, 149(1); pgs 67-73.
No “restraint asphyxia” information is included, so only the article’s Abstract is posted.
This abstract was originally posted in February, 2005.
[I have NO IDEA how I managed to post it BEFORE it was supposedly PUBLISHED!]
CITATION: Lear-Kaul KC, Coughlin L, Dobersen MJ:
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy; a retrospective study.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol March, 2005;26(1): 11–17.
If SUDEP researchers wish to see the term “SUDEP” become more frequently employed as a
cause of death, they will have to better substantiate SUDEP as a specific cause of death,
entirely independent from OTHER causes of death – such as positional asphyxia
or restraint asphyxia. That means, positional asphyxia & restraint asphyxia must first be
ruled-OUT before considering SUDEP as the cause of death.
This article originally posted in March, 2005.
Reposted with a “better” review in June, 2005.
CITATION: Robison D, Hunt S. Sudden in-custody death syndrome.
Top Emerg Med; Jan-March, 2005; Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 36-43.
Overall, multiple factors have been associated with sudden death when a person is
restrained and is in an excited delirium state. These individuals are at a high risk for
sudden death. Law enforcement officers and hospital personnel should be aware of the
risks associated with restraints in subjects/patients in an excited delirium state. …
By implementing procedural protocols, the potential for SICDS may decrease.
Besides being a very well-researched and well-written article, this is one of
the most unbiased articles I’ve ever read on this subject!
This article was originally posted in August, 2006.
CITATION: Gill JR, Landi K: Traumatic asphyxial deaths due to an uncontrolled crowd.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol December, 2004;25: 358–361
I am extremely concerned that so many medical examiners and forensic pathologists continue
to entirely disregard the importance of abdominal excursion to breathing. Considering the
consistent absense of rib trauma demonstrated by victims of crowd-related traumatic
asphyxia (“riot crush” victims), it is far more likely that the cause of death in these cases
was abdominal compression – not “chest compression.”
This article was originally posted in January, 2005.
CITATION: Chan TC; Neuman T; Clausen J; Eisele J; Vilke GM.
Weight force during prone restraint and respiratory function.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol 25(3):185-189, September 2004.
More than FOUR YEARS after the study that generated this “report” was performed,
Chan finally found someone to publish HIS VERSION of its findings! Although all the
study subjects were perfectly healthy and completely rested individuals, their
ventilation volumes were identified as being “significantly lower” after simply
having been placed in a prone position – even before perfectly silly (light) amounts
of weight were placed BETWEEN THEIR SHOULDERS. But, Oh SurpriZe! Check out
Chan’s wording of the study article’s “CONCLUSION”:
“We found that weight force of 25 and 50 lbs did not result in evidence of hypoxia
or hypoventilatory respiratory compromise in our study subjects.”
Go figure! What part of the “LIGHT WEIGHT” and the “RIB CAGE PLACEMENT”
study parameters are Chan et al hoping we’ll MISS?! ALL of them. That’s what.
Furthermore, Chan et al are hoping that we’ll MISS the perfectly healthy and
completely rested study subject parameters. Why are they hoping this?
Because, they hope we’ll regard their study findings as being important to the evaluation of
REAL LIFE situations – when their study findings clearly are NOT applicable!
This article was originally posted on September 6, 2004.
CITATION: O'Halloran, Ronald L. MD.
Reenactment of circumstances in deaths related to restraint.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol 25(3):190-193, September 2004.
“Since initial investigative reports often do not provide sufficiently specific information
about the asphyxial potential of the restraint process, specific questions of restrainers and
witnesses should be asked after the autopsy. The sooner the questions are asked, the
more likely that the recollections will be accurate. Videotaping a reenactment of the
restraint episode is an efficient way to collect and store useful information.”
This article was originally posted on September 6, 2004.
CITATION: Coco TJ, Klasner AE: Drug-induced rhabdomyolysis.
Curr Opin Pediatr April 2004; 16(2):206-210.
“Drug-induced rhabdomyolysis is a common syndrome that is complex and potentially
life threatening. … The presenting symptoms may be discrete and misleading. ...
With early recognition and a high index of suspicion
[as long as “the airway, ventilation, and perfusion” are ensured],
most patients with rhabdomyolysis will have an excellent prognosis.”
This article was originally posted in January, 2005.Criteria for the Interpretation of Cocaine Levels in Human
Biological Samples and Their Relation to the Cause of Death*
CITATION: Stephens BG, Jentzen JM, Karch S, Mash DC, Wetli CV:
Criteria for the interpretation of cocaine levels in human biological samples and their
relation to the cause of death. Am J Forensic Med Pathol (March) 2004;25: 1–10.
“Ideally, the investigation into the death starts at the scene. … the investigator looks for and
notes the … original position of the deceased at the time of death, … the presence of any
restraints … The nature and the anatomic location of the restraint are noted. … If the
person was restrained, what position was he/she in, and what were the conditions and the
duration of the restraint? … Other pathology always is considered
before making a decision that cocaine is the cause of death.”
This article was originally posted February 25 2004.National Association of Medical Examiners Position Paper
on the Certification of Cocaine-Related Deaths*
CITATION: Stephens BG, Jentzen JM, Karch S, Wetli CV, Mash DC:
National association of medical examiners position paper on the certification of cocaine-
related deaths. Am J Forensic Med Pathol (March) 2004;25: 11–13.
“The National Association of Medical Examiners Committee on Cocaine-related Deaths
recommends that the following guidelines be applied in the process of documenting,
interpreting, and certifying potential cocaine-related fatalities. … Currently, when all
other causes of death have been reasonably eliminated, the recommendation is that
cocaine related deaths be certified as accidental. … In cases of sudden death related to
police actions, the involvement of cocaine as a cause of death should be made with caution.”
This article was originally posted February 25 2004.
DEATH-RELATED COCAINE LEVEL CRITERIA article:
on the certification of cocaine-related deaths.
CITATION: Wecht CH. Response to the National Association of Medical Examiners
position paper on the certification of cocaine-related deaths.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol (December) 2004;25: 362-363.
“… the adamant refusal of some of our colleagues to even consider
police misconduct and brutality as the underlying feature of such cases is
most regrettable and, in my opinion, morally and ethically indefensible.”
This letter was originally posted in January, 2005.
CITATION: Miller CD. [Type-in all of the above title.]
February 25, 2004; Internet Restraint Asphyxia Library page:
http://www.charlydmiller.com/LIB05/2004febNAMEemail.html
Sent February 25, 2004 to NAME and the Am J Forensic Med Pathol
Editor, et al; but disregarded by all recipients.
Although the authors of these two articles provided many GREAT points
and directives, they MISSED some very important considerations.
This letter was originally posted on the March 2004 NAME position paper page,
following that paper’s PDF file link, on February 25, 2004. A separate Library page
was posted when Dr. Wecht’s letter came to light, in January, 2005.
CITATION: Glatter K, Karch SB. Positional asphyxia: inadequate oxygen, or inadequate theory?
[a “Letter To The Editor”] Forensic Sci Int May, 2004; 141(2-3):201-202.
Published in a journal that does NOT contain ANY article related to restraint asphyxia, these
authors appear to be responding to the “NAME” position paper published in the March
2004 issue of Am J Forensic Med Pathol. Consequently, this letter is posted here.
This is yet ANOTHER example of presumably-intelligent individuals who either accidentally
MISINTERPRETED clinical study findings, OR purposefully MISREPRESENTED them.
This letter was originally posted in January, 2005.
Death in Epilepsy to Sudden Death due to Some Other Cause*
CITATION: Davis GG, McGwin Jr G: Comparison of heart mass in seizure patients dying of
sudden unexplained death in epilepsy to sudden death due to some other cause.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol (March) 2004;25: 23–28.
“The diagnosis of SUDEP [Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy] is a diagnosis of
exclusion. Like SIDS, any anatomic, toxicological, or scene finding that
accounts for death precludes a diagnosis of SUDEP”
This article was originally posted February 27, 2004.
CITATION: Miyaishi S, Yoshitome K, Yamamoto Y, et al.
Negligent homicide by traumatic asphyxia. Int J Legal Med Jan 14 2004.
“A 58-year-old man was restrained in the prone position by six prison officers.
… the victim died solely from traumatic asphyxia caused
not by disaster but by intentional restraint.”
This article was originally posted on February 6, 2004.
Ohio Death Brings Renewed Focus on Restraint Issue
Bryan Bledsoe’s opinions of 41-year-old Nathaniel Jones’s death while being
restrained by Cincinnati police on Sunday, November 30, 2003.
CITATION: (Unnamed Staff Reporter) Ohio death brings renewed focus on restraint issue. MERGINET;
December, 2003. http://www.merginet.com/index.cfm?searched=/operations/field/RestraintIssue.cfm
“Mr. Jones had virtually all of the risk factors that lead to death from restraint asphyxia,”
said Bryan E. Bledsoe, DO, FACEP, EMT-P, a noted EMS expert, emergency physician
and Merginet medical advisor. “These risks include obesity, fighting against restraining
personnel and restraints when placed, positive stimulant use, placement in a prone
position during restraint, and the presence of excited delirium. In numerous studies of
restraint asphyxia, these risk factors were all highly associated with sudden death.”
Bledsoe described the outcome in the Jones case as common and predictable.
This article was originally posted December, 2005.Curriculum Is Wrong; Lawsuits Could Follow
[Bryan Bledsoe’s opinions about the DOT Curriculum.]
Citation: (Unnamed Staff Reporter) Curriculum is wrong; lawsuits could follow.
EMS House of DeFrance; Dec 4, 2003.
http://www.defrance.org/artman/publish/printer_477.shtml
“I want to caution all in the US that the DOT EMT-B
curriculum is wrong and, if your students follow it,
they may be sued or lose their license.”
This article was originally posted December, 2005.
CITATION: Di Nunno N, Vacca M, Costantinides F, Di Nunno C.
Death following atypical compression of the neck.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol December, 2003;24: 364–368).
The authors present 3 cases of asphyxia caused by atypical compression of the neck
caused by bed-side metal bars for prevention of falling out of bed.
This article was originally posted in January, 2005.
CITATION: Stewart J: “Excited Delirium” A Dec. 10, 2003 news article found on the CBS NEWS.com
Website: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/12/09/60II/printable587569.shtml.
Some restraint asphyxia death cases attributed to excited delirium are presented.
Excited delirium is appropriately identified as, “a blame-shifting phrase. It is a phrase
that shifts the blame from the person exerting the force to the person that dies”
This article was originally posted February 9, 2004.
An Analysis of Drug-Related Deaths Recorded by Coroners in
England and Wales in 2000*
CITATION: Webb L, Oyefeso A, Schifano F, et al.: Cause and manner of death
in drug-related fatality: an analysis of drug-related deaths recorded by coroners in
England and Wales in 2000.
Drug Alcohol Depend (Ireland), Oct 24 2003, 72(1) p67-74.
“This study investigated causes and manner of drug-related fatalities recorded in 2000 in the
United Kingdom, measuring the 'masked' manner of death in cases typically recorded as
overdose. … Whilst 802 cases were identified as direct acute overdose, representing
77% of the total accidental deaths, 23% of 'overdose' fatalities were caused by asphyxiation…”
This article was originally posted February 11, 2004.
Respiratory Compromise?*
CITATION: Chan TC, Clausen J, Neuman T, Eisele JW, Vilke GM.
Does weight force during physical restraint cause respiratory compromise?
Ann Emerg Med, October 2003;42(4),
ACEP Research Forum Supplement: pS17.
This is a REPEAT of OLD study information, originally presented at the
Am Academy of Forensic Science’s February 2000 conference, as;
“Comparison of Respiratory Function in the Prone Maximal Restraint Position
With and Without Additional Weight Force on the Back”
HERE, however, is the version Chan presented it at the October, 2003 Am College of Emergency
Physicians conference in Boston. The “author” order has been altered, and the abstract TEXT slightly
changed (in a rather interesting manner, considering this is a report of the SAME STUDY).
See CHAS’ 2005 Restraint Asphyxia Research Review
The full text of this REPEAT research abstract presentation was originally
posted on this Website October 11, 2003.
CITATION: Belviso M, De Donno A, Vitale L, et al.
Positional asphyxia: reflection on 2 cases.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol, Sep 2003, 24(3) p292-297
The 2 cases discussed in this article are one of positional asphyxia, and one of traumatic asphyxia.
So, although this is an interesting article, it is not one of any significant consequence
to “restraint asphyxia” research.
This article was originally posted in January, 2005.
CITATION: Kohr RM. Inflicted compressional asphyxia of a child.
J Forensic Sci, Sep 2003, 48(5) p1148-1150
The author presents the case of a two-year-old girl who was forcefully-prone-restrained to death
because she wouldn’t take a nap. From the way this case study is written, the author
appears to be seeking an “excuse” for contributing to this homicide going practically unpunished.
This article was originally posted in January, 2005.
of Aggression in Psychiatric Settings*
CITATION: Morrison EF, Carney-Love C; An evaluation of four programs for the management
of aggression in psychiatric settings. Arch Psychiatr Nurs Aug 2003, 17(4) p146-55.
This article provides invalidly-researched (and suspiciously biased) “reviews” of four
patient restraint techniques programs. But, it generated a flurry of attention, so here it is.
[I’ve long wanted to write a review that specifically explains why this article
represents “invalidly-researched (and suspiciously biased)” information.
As of August, 2006, I still haven’t done so. (Too many more important things demand
my attention!) So, I may never get it written. HOWEVER!
If you read all the restraint asphyxia information identified by a
you shouldn’t NEED me to tell you why this article is so WORTHLESS!
This article was originally posted on this Website in October, 2003.
CITATION: Lane R; Phillips M: Rhabdomyolysis.
BMJ (England), Jul 19 2003, 327(7407) p115-6.
“SEVERE OR UNACCUSTOMED EXERTION, particularly in extremes of heat
… prolonged seizures … [or the effects of some] drugs … can induce rhabdomyolysis,
as can … STATES OF EXTREME AGITATION”
In Jan/Feb 2004, I began posting several RHABDOMYOLYSIS articles because
of my growing recognition of the frequent occurrence of rhabdomyolysis being caused
during restraint asphyxia incidents. Although this editorial was written in response to
another article, it provides a QUICK OVERVIEW of what rhabdomyolysis IS, and how
rhabdomyolysis can be caused by incidents that also result in restraint asphyxia.
This article was originally posted February 10, 2004.Theories about Patient Restraint
[A report of Bryan Bledsoe’s Restraint Asphyxia Opinions.]
Citation: Oriole, K. Theories about patient restraint. MERGINET; July, 2003.
http://www.merginet.com/clinical/psychiatric/patientrestraint.cfm
Many EMS personnel don't know the right way to deal with these patients,
Bledsoe said. Partly to blame are the US Department of Transportation EMT and
Paramedic curricula, which, he said, are simply wrong. “We have a lot of paramedics
following guidelines and getting sued because the guidelines are wrong,” he said.
“It's in the textbooks. It takes years to get that corrected.”
This article was originally posted December, 2005.
CITATION: Pestaner JP, Southall PE. Sudden death during arrest and phencyclidine intoxication.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol, Jun 2003, 24(2) p119-122
This article was originally posted February 25, 2004.
CITATION: Bhana BD. Custody-related deaths in Durban, South Africa 1998-2000.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol, Jun 2003, 24(2) p202-207
According to this article, “There were no deaths associated with substance abuse,
the use of choke holds, or other restraint positions.”
I find this incredibly difficult to believe. But, even though
restraint-related deaths are not discussed in this article, I decided to post it …
to keep my library as “varied” as possible.
This article was originally posted January, 2005.
CITATION: Mohr WK, Petti TA, Mohr BD: Adverse effects associated with
physical restraint. Can J Psychiatry June, 2003;48:330–337.
“The third author has encountered several clinical situations in which staff members attributed
a patient's struggles to belligerence, when they were in fact [due to] agitation caused by hypoxia.”
CHAS’ brief review precedes the article’s PDF file link.
This article was originally posted on January 27th, 2004.
OOOH! A NASTY-GRAM is RECEIVED & REPLIED TO!
On Tuesday, January 27, 2004 – within TWO HOURS of POSTING the above article and my
review of same – I received a terrifically NASTY Email from Wanda Mohr, RN, PhD,
the article’s “lead” co-author.
[This has GOT to be some kind of “record” for an Internet-posting generating a response!]
As with the last “NASTY-GRAM” I received from an article co-author, (way back in
November of 2002), this correspondence demonstrates how even “educated” individuals
(folks with big fat initials like “MS” or “PhD” or “MD” following their name) can harbor
inappropriate attitudes, and offer unsupported complaints about having their work criticized!
This Nasty-Gram was originally (finally) posted on February 26, 2004.
More Stuff on Restraints*
AUTHORS: Perry D, Dick T.
JEMS, May 2003; Vol.28, No.5; pgs 22-23.
In this article, Doug Perry & Thom Dick appropriately RETRACTED Dick's January 2003
"Tricks of the Trade" suggestion of using a choke-hold-like (or "sleeper"-hold-like)
maneuver for "stabilizing the patient's head and neck." Instead, they described a manner
of “HEAD RESTRAINT” that I’ve advocated for YEARS: Forceful application
of a “JAW-THRUST AIRWAY MANEUVER.”
And! They finally managed to admit that OXYGEN ADMINISTRATION via
a nonrebreather MASK was the ONLY medically-appropriate form of “spit shield” to use.
Unfortunately, after that, Perry & Dick degenerated into (entirely unsuccessful)
attempts to provide “justification” for the potentially lethal baskethold-like form of
medical patient restraint advocated within Dick’s 2003 article.
What can I say? I win a few. And, a few take longer to win.
This 2-page column wasn’t posted here until September 15, 2004.
The abstract of a scientific study paper, obtained from the Prehospital Care Research Forum
Supplement to the March, 2003 issue of JEMS; page S-17.
AUTHORS: Dunn T, Martin P, Dunn WW
This abstract was originally posted on March 31, 2003.
CITATION: Crowley CF. A survivor's story: Saved by a pileup.
The Providence Journal; March 10, 2003.
http://www.projo.com/extra/2003/stationfire/archive/projo_20030310_mike10.95e7b.html
This is the amazing story about a guy who survived “RIOT CRUSH”
(a form of “positional asphyxia”) by moving to his side and curling up “into the fetal
position” when he became trapped beneath a pile of bodies.
This article was originally posted in August, 2006.
Social Care in the UK. The Results of a Preliminary Survey.
CITATION #1 of 2 Citations(!): Paterson B, Bradley P, Stark C, et al.
Deaths associated with restraint use in health and social care in the UK.
The results of a preliminary survey.
J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs (England), Feb 2003, 10(1) p3-15.
“A number of case reports have suggested that restraint procedures may,
in some circumstances, be linked with serious injuries and deaths.”
TWO pdf versions of this article originally posted February 9, 2004.
CITATION: Brice JH, Pirrallo RG, Racht E, Zachariah BS, Krohmer J:
Management of the violent patient. Prehosp Emerg Care 2003 Jan-Mar;7(1):48-55.
This article’s information was outdated even before its publication.
But, HEY – it’s HERE!
This article’s abstract originally posted in April, 2003.
Its FULL TEXT originally posted in January, 2004.
“Tie-Downs; Use of Restraints, PART 1;”
JEMS December 2002 • Volume 27 • Number 12
“Straight Shot; Use of Restraints, PART 2;”
JEMS January 2003 • Volume 28 • Number 1
AUTHOR: Thom Dick, EMT-P
Part 1’s text and PIX from Part 2, were posted on January 23, 2003.
Part 2’s TEXT was originally posted on February 3, 2003.
I’m reasonably confident that Thom Dick is a caring, and responsible, EMS provider and educator.
But, when I read Part 2 of his JEMS “Tricks of the Trade” column about restraints,
and saw the pix that accompany it, I was … AGHAST!!!
DICK is clearly promoting LETHAL methods of Restraint!
This review was written and originally posted in January, 2003.
UPDATED on March 15, 2003.
Whether or not JEMS prints them, if you send them to me, I will post them!
This directory was started on March 31, 2003.
CITATION: Shields LB, Hunsaker DM, HunsakerJC, Parker JC.
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: neuropathologic findings.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol, (Dec) 2002, 23(4):307–314.
“Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy [SUDEP] refers to sudden death of an
individual with a clinical history of epilepsy, in whom a postmortem examination fails to
uncover a gross anatomic, toxicologic, or environmental cause of death. … Deaths
resulting from a seizure occurring in hazardous settings resulting in fatal trauma, …
deaths due to status epilepticus, and deaths resulting from fatal asphyxia … [can be]
excluded from this definition.”
This article was originally posted February 27, 2004.
Published on the Struggling Teens Website
http://www.strugglingteens.com on November 15, 2002
AUTHOR: Michael G. Conner, Psy.D
CHAS’ Review Posted at the END of the Article
[This article is NOT of great “importance,” one way or another. This article, and my review, is
here only because parents of developmentally disabled individuals kept Emailing me about it.]
This article was posted on November 22, 2002.
Published in the journal of Prehospital Emergency Care
The official journal of the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP)
Prehosp Emerg Care July/September 2002;6(3):340-345
AUTHORS: Kupas DF; Wydro GC
This article was posted on August 2nd, 2002.
and the AUTHORS’ REPLY*
CITATIONS:
Vilke GM, Chan TC, Neuman T: Letter to the Editor Re; Patient restraint in EMS.
Prehosp Emerg Care July/September 2003;7(3):417-418.
Kupas DF, Wydro GC: Reply by the Authors of Patient restraint in EMS.
Prehosp Emerg Care July/September 2003;7(3):418-419.
Yet another stupid letter by Chan et al. BUT, this one includes a somewhat NEW
incredibly-stupid argument on their part. THANKFULLY, the Patient restraint in EMS
Authors soundly thrash ALL of Chan et al’s silly business in their reply!
This article was finally first posted February 26, 2004.
after asphyxial cardiac arrest in rats
CITATION: Katz LM, Wang Y, Rockoff S, et al.;
Low-dose Carbicarb improves cerebral outcome after asphyxial cardiac arrest in rats.
Ann Emerg Med (United States), Apr 2002, 39(4) p359-365.
This is a medical scientific study article important to professionals understanding
the effects of severe acidosis caused by asphyxial-restraint-related struggle.
This article was originally posted on this Website in April, 2003.
Positional Asphyxiation
CITATION: Morrison L, Duryea PB, Moore C, Nathan-Shinn A.
The lethal hazard of prone restraint: Positional asphyxiation.
Protection & Advocacy, Inc., Oakland, California, Investigations Unit; April, 2002:
http://www.pai-ca.org/pubs/701801.pdf
An investigatory report: “One PAI investigator summarized the dilemma.
'Staff did everything by the book. The problem is the book is wrong.'”
This report was originally posted on this Website in January, 2004.
CITATION: [I don’t have the AUTHORS’ names yet!
I’m working on getting them!] New thoughts about what causes cocaine toxicity.
Forensic Drug Abuse Advisor (April) 2002;14(4):17-8.
“Much of the literature on cocaine cardiotoxicity consists of anecdotal data and case reports,
which then get incorporated into peer reviewed papers, which then get cited as proven
data. It is refreshing to see someone actually do the science, and even more exciting
when something that ‘everyone knows is true’, turns out to be wrong.”
A graphic example of how information MISREPRESENTATION
can lead to “EXPERT” opinions based upon invalid information.
This article was originally posted in OCTOBER 2005.
CITATION: Sauret JM, Marinides G, Wang GK: Rhabdomyolysis.
Am Fam Physician (United States), Mar 1 2002, 65(5) p907-12.
This article provides an IN-DEPTH explanation (mostly in “Plain English,” thank you!)
of what RHABDOMYOLYSIS IS, and the variety of things that can cause it.
Although it doesn’t specifically address the association of restraint asphyxia deaths with
rhabdomyolysis, it promotes the development of a CLEAR understanding of how the
extreme physical exertion that precedes – and occurrs during –
application of an asphyxial form of restraint, can cause rhabdomyolysis.
This article was originally posted February 10, 2004.
Published in The Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS)
March, 2002 Issue, Vol. 27, No. 3, pages 84 – 104.
AUTHORS: Maggiore WA, Palmer RB
This article was originally posted on this Website June 01, 2002.
CHAS’ REVIEW of “Exercise Restraint”
This article isn’t terrifically “BAD!” It’s simply, terrifically INADEQUATE.
Yet, because it contains a LOT of very ineffective restraint technique
PHOTOGRAPHS (even though the restraint techniques photographed were
erroneously represented as being “effective” and “appropriate” to medical care),
this article has been VERY helpful to NEW SLIDE development –
providing a plethora of PIX of Stuff NOT to DO!!!
This Review FINALLY written and posted on this Website January 25, 2003!
Letter To the Editor of JEMS Regarding “Exercise Restraint”
AUTHOR: Jim Baird, Fairlawn, Ohio
JEMS July, 2002: Vol. 27, No. 7; pages 12, 14
This is a MARVELOUS letter! I’ve long wanted to write a “review” of it
but it doesn’t look like I’ll ever get around to doing so.
The full text of this letter was originally posted on August 04, 2002.
Inhalation on Respiratory Function*
CITATION: Chan TC; Vilke GM; Clausen J; Clark RF; Schmidt P; Snowden T; Neuman T.
The effect of oleoresin capsicum "pepper" spray inhalation on respiratory function.
J Forensic Sci, Mar 2002, 47(2) p299-304
The ABSTRACT of this article (all I was willing to access and post, since I surely wasn’t
going to PAY to obtain a repeat of the relatively worthless National Institute of Justice
December 2001 article – posted below – written by the SAME authors!)
was originally posted in January, 2005.The National Association of Medical Examiners’
Guide For Manner of Death Classification
Approved by the NAME Board of Directors in February 2002, a link to the Guide’s location on
the Internet is provided, as well as an excerpt wherein these Medical Examiners officially
identify restraint asphyxia deaths as “HOMICIDE!”
This excerpt was originally posted on this Website November, 2003.
CRUZ v CITY OF LARAMIE, WYOMING*
CITATION: UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS, TENTH CIRCUIT;
Cruz v. City of Laramie, 239 F.3d 1183 (10th Cir. 2001).
A Legal Summary Report obtained from AELE Legal Publications
http://www.aele.org/99-8045.html
“Hog tie [of] suspects with diminished capacity considered excessive force”
The CRUZ v LARAMIE case has helped to “correct” some of the damage caused by the
PRICE v SAN DIEGO case (a prime example of a grotesque “miscarriage of justice”).
However, very few (if ANY) of the people who STILL jump to cite the PRICE v SAN DIEGO
case care to mention the CRUZ v LARAMIE case.Oh, surpriZe!
This legal summary was originally posted in March, 2005.
Published by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
In the December, 2001 Issue of their Research in Brief Series.
AUTHORS: Theodore C. Chan, Gary M. Vilke, Jack Clausen, Richard Clark,
Paul Schmidt, Thomas Snowden, and Tom Neuman
This article was originally posted on this Website June 15, 2002.
A 15-Year Retrospective Study
CITATION: Collins KA; Death by overlaying and wedging: a 15-year retrospective study.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol (United States), Jun 2001, 22(2) p155-69.
A forensic medicine scientific study article.
“Wedging occurs when an infant’s body or face is compressed within a narrow space, resulting in
asphyxia from interference with chest wall movements or obstruction of the airway. …
Like SIDS victims, overlaying and wedging victims usually have a completely negative autopsy.”
This article was originally posted on this Website in April, 2003.
A Semiquantitative Study in Forensic Autopsies
CITATION: Delmonte C, Capelozzi VL; Morphologic determinants of asphyxia in lungs:
a semiquantitative study in forensic autopsies.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol, Jun 2001, 22(2) p139-49.
A forensic medicine scientific study article.
This article was originally posted on this Website in April, 2003.
Individuals Requiring Restraint for Excited Delirium*
Published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine May 2001 Issue
AUTHORS: Stratton SJ, Rogers C, Bricket K, Gruzinski G.
Am J Emerg Med 2001;19:187-191
This article was originally posted on this Website June 30, 2002.
Due to Hemoperitoneum Resulting From Physical Restraint*
CITATION: Raju GV, Kumar TC, Khanna S. [A letter to the Editor]
Sudden death following neuroleptic administration due to
hemoperitoneum resulting from physical restraint.
Can J Psychiatry (Canada), May 2001, 46(4) p372-373
I think that this case-report letter highlights a whole HELLUVALOT MORE
than just the need for a thorough “post-mortem” investigation!
This article was originally posted in OCTOBER 2005.
Published in the journal Prehospital Emergency Care
The official journal of the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP)
CITATION: Park KS, Korn CS, Henderson SO; Agitated delirium and sudden death: Two case reports.
Prehosp Emerg Care 2001 Apr-Jun;5(2):214-216.
This article was posted on August 2nd, 2002.
A Letter by Chan & Vilke RE:
Agitated Delirium and Sudden Death*
CITATION: Vilke GM, Chan TC; Agitated delirium and sudden death.
Prehosp Emerg Care Apr-Jun 2002, 6(2) p259; Author Reply 259-60.
The Authors’ reply soundly thrashes Chan et al’s letter!
This article originally posted in April, 2003.
CITATION: Allam S, Noble JS. Cocaine-excited delirium and severe acidosis.
Anaesthesia (England), Apr 2001, 56(4) p385-386.
“The prompt administration of hyperventilation, passive cooling, sodium bicarbonate and dantrolene
led to a remarkably swift correction of the acidosis and a successful outcome in this case.”
Oh, surpriZe! A victim of cocaine-induced excited delirium who was severely ACIDOTIC,
yet SURVIVED both cocaine use (intoxication) and a state of excited delirium
because he wasn’t restrained in an asphyxial position! GO FIGURE!
This article was originally posted in OCTOBER 2005.
A Report of Winnie Maggiore’s (JD, EMT-P)
2001 JEMS EMS Today Conference Presentation,
March 13-17, 2001; Baltimore, Maryland.
AUTHOR: Elizabeth A. Criss, RN
This article was posted on January 24th, 2003.
Excited delirium – A Case Report*
Citation: Morrison A, Sadler D; Death of a psychiatric patient during physical restraint.
Excited delirium – A case report. Med Sci Law
(Medicine Science and the Law) 2001 Jan;41(1):46-50.
This article was originally posted August 1st, 2002.
Restraint. Excited Delirium – A Case Report
Citation: Miller CD. Review of Death of a psychiatric patient during
physical restraint. Excited delirium – A case report. March, 2005.
http://www.charlydmiller.com/LIB05/2001psychcasereview.html
“This case report seems like yet another attempt to
erroneously attribute a Restraint Asphyxia death to Excited Delirium.”
This review was originally posted in March, 2005.
Published in the journal, Archives of Psychiatric Nursing
Arch Psychiatr Nurs 2000 Dec 14:285-95
AUTHORS: Mohr WK, Mohr BD
This article was posted on August 1st, 2002.
CITATION: Ely SF, Hirsch CS. Asphyxial deaths and petechiae: a review.
J Forensic Sci. (Nov) 2000; 45: 1274-1277.
Absence of petechiae does NOT “rule out” asphyxial death!:
“Despite the common knowledge that they are neither predictable findings
in all asphyxial deaths nor rare in natural, nonaphyxial deaths, the belief persists that
petechiae are corroborative evidence of asphyxia. We suggest that a clear,
physiologically based understanding of the pathogenesis of petechiae of the head is
critical for their appropriate interpretation.”
This article was originally posted February 27, 2004.
to Teaching High School Genetics.
CITATION: Chowning JT. Sickle cell anemia: A case study approach to teaching high school genetics.
BioLab, Seattle, WA; in partnership with “The GENETICS Project,”
University of Washington, Department of Molecular Biotechnology: October, 2000.
http://genetics-education-partnership.mbt.washington.edu/Download/file.html
This article was posted because of its relationship to CHAS’ review of
Sudden Death due to Sickle Cell Crisis During Law Enforcement Restraint
This article was originally posted on July 2, 2007.
Report of Two Cases
CITATION: Siebert CF, Thogmartin JF. Restraint-related fatalities in mental health
facilities: Report of two cases. Am J Forensic Med Pathol (Sep) 2000, 21(3);210-212.
“Deaths associated with … restraint devices, as well as manual restraint
techniques such as the therapeutic basket hold, carotid sleeper, and various other "holds,"
have been reported”
This article was originally posted on May 21, 2003.
In February 2004, a WORD TEXT version was finally posted.
and Outcome of Patients Presenting to an ED
CITATION: Blaho K, Logan B, Winbery S, Park L, and Schwilke E; Blood cocaine and metabolite
concentrations, clinical findings, and outcome of patients presenting to an ED.
Am J Emerg Med. 2000 Sep;18(5):593-8.
Blood cocaine and metabolite concentrations should be interpreted with caution
because they vary widely and do not predict the severity of clinical findings, the
incidence of adverse effects, outcome, or need for interventional therapy.
This article was originally posted in February, 2005.
Published in the Police Magazine July 2000 Issue
© The Police Federation of England & Wales
This is NOT a reprint of Dr. Reay’s 1998 article of the same title.
This article was originally posted on this Website June 15, 2002.
CITATION: Blaho K, Winbery S, Park L, et al.
Cocaine metabolism in hyperthermic patients with excited delirium.
J Clin Forensic Med (Scotland), June 2000, 7(2) p71-76.
“Measurements of cocaine concentrations in the two hyperthermic
cocaine abusers with excited delirium suggest that in the living, the half-life of cocaine
is not significantly altered by elevated body temperature.”
If NOT subjected to a form of potentially asphyxial restraint, a victim of
Cocaine-Intoxication-Induced Excited Delirium can SURVIVE excited delirium!
This article was originally posted in OCTOBER 2005.
CITATION: Patel F. Custody restraint asphyxia.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol, Jun 2000, 21(2) p196-197.
Patel’s grossly misinformed statements are addressed in CHAS’ 2005
Restraint Asphyxia Research Review
This article was originally posted in January, 2005.
A Report of 21 Cases
CITATION: O’Halloran RL, Lewman LV. Asphyxial death during prone restraint
revisited: A report of 21 cases. Am J Forensic Med Pathol (March) 2000, 21(1);39-52.
“A reasonable diagnosis of restraint asphyxia can usually be made after ruling out
other causes and collecting supportive participant and witness statements in a timely
fashion. Common elements in this syndrome include prone restraint with pressure on the
upper torso; handcuffing, leg restraint, or hogtying; acute psychosis and agitation”
This article was originally posted on June 15, 2002.
In February 2004, a WORD TEXT version was finally posted.
Prone Restraint Revisited & the Article Authors’ Reply
CITATIONS: Gulino SP, Young TW. Letter to the Editor; Asphyxial death during
prone restraint revisited. Am J Forensic Med Pathol (Dec) 2000, 21(4);420.
O'Halloran RL, Frank JG. Authors’ Reply to Letter RE: Asphyxial death during prone
restraint revisited. Am J Forensic Med Pathol (Dec) 2000, 21(4);420-422.
Article Authors’ Reply: “We believe [the letter authors] missed the point of the article. …
In the case of prone restraint with weight applied to the back, the question isn't really
whether a person could die from asphyxia; sufficient weight applied to the
back for a sufficient time will kill the healthiest of individuals.”
I entirely AGREE!!! In fact, the Article Authors’ Reply is probably
the BEST letter of its kind, that I’ve EVER read!
This letter first posted on January 31, 2003.
In February 2004, a WORD TEXT version of the letter was finally posted.
Restraints & Seclusion Abuse Received Since the October 1998
Investigation by The Hartford Courant
Compiled by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) Through March 2000
Since The Hartford Courant published its "Deadly Restraint" investigative series in
October 1998, NAMI has received a steady stream of reports of both recent and past
abuse of restraints and seclusion, including more deaths.
The PDF file of this report was originally posted on August 29, 2006.
Position With and Without Additional Weight Force on the Back*
An UNPUBLISHED paper, presented at the annual meeting of the
American Academy of Forensic Science, in Reno, Nevada: February 21-26, 2000.
AUTHORS: Eisele JW, Chan TC, Vilke GM
The full text of this unpublished research abstract was originally
posted on this Website June 01, 2002.
READ CHAS’ 2005 REVIEW of this UNPUBLISHED Paper
Chas’ OLD review of this unpublished paper can be still be viewed
By Clicking HERE.
The full text of the original review was posted on June 01, 2002.
Published on The Autism National Committee Website.
[http://www.autcom.org/restraints.html]
Approved for publication on September 3rd, 1999.
The full text of this position paper was posted on August 07, 2002.
Different Stages of the Same Syndrome*
CITATION: Ruttenber AJ, McAnally HB, Wetli CV. Cocaine-associated
rhabdomyolysis and excited delirium: different stages of the same syndrome.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol; June 1999; 20(2), pp 120-127.
CHAS' OPINION of this old (and erroneous) report is reflected in her
2005 Paper: Restraint Asphyxia Research Review
This article was originally posted in January, 2005.Metabolic Acidosis in Restraint-associated Cardiac Arrest: A Case Series*
Citation: Hick JL, Smith SW, Lynch MT.
Metabolic acidosis in restraint-associated cardiac arrest: a case series.
Acad Emerg Med. March, 1999; 6:239-43.
Abstract originally posted on this Website August, 1999.
The full text of this article was posted on May 31, 2002.
A PDF file of the article was posted January, 2006.
COMMENTS about Metabolic Acidosis
in Restraint-associated Cardiac Arrest
Two letters to the Editor, and a REPLY from Hick, Smith, and Lynch,
Published in the journal of Academic Emergency Medicine
October 1999, Volume 6, Number 10, pages 1075-1077
Comments originally posted on this Website July 8, 2002.
A PDF file of these letters was posted January, 2006.
Published in the, J Emerg Med
March, 1999;17:777-82;203(1-2):1-9
AUTHORS: Schmidt P, Snowden T
This article was posted on August 1st, 2002.
A PDF file of the article was posted in December, 2005.
OOOH! A Nasty-Gram is RECEIVED and REPLIED TO!
On Thursday, November 14, 2002, I was sent a rather NASTY Email from Paul Schmidt,
a co-author of “The Effects of Positional Restraint on Heart Rate and Oxygen Saturation.
J Emerg Med, March, 1999;17:777-82;203(1-2):1-9.
This correspondence demonstrates how even “educated” individuals
(folks with big fat initials like “MS” or “MD” following their name)
can harbor entirely INAPPROPRIATE attitudes!
This material originally posted here on November 14th, 2002.
Published in the, J Royal Soc Med
March, 1999;92:110-113
AUTHORS: Karch SB, Stephens BG
This article was posted on August 1st, 2002.
Published in the journal, Arch Kriminol
1999 Jan-Feb;203(1-2):1-9
ABSTRACT ONLY
This 4-case-study article is only available in GERMAN. So, I’m not going to hunt it down to post it here.
The abstract, however, is in English – short, interesting, and kind of fun to read!
This ABSTRACT was originally posted on this Website June 30, 2002.
Published in the journal of Modern Pathology
November, 1998 Issue [Mod Pathol 1998;11(11):1127-1137]
AUTHOR: Darrell L. Ross, PhD.
If you want to JUMP TO CHAS’ REVIEW: CLICK HERE
Abstract originally posted on this Website August 27th, 1999.
The full text of this article was posted on June 03, 2002.
Published in the journal, Nurs Times
1998 Nov 4-10;94(44):62-4 (ISSN: 0954-7762)
AUTHORS: Paterson B; Leadbetter D; McComish A
This article was posted on August 1st, 2002.
Published in the, Sentinel Event Alert paper of the
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
Issue Eight, November 18, 1998
This article originally posted on August 2nd, 2002.DEADLY RESTRAINT
Articles generated by an extensive Investigative Report, by Eric M. Weiss, et al.,
published in The Hartford Courant, beginning on October 11, 1998.
A Five-Part SERIES of articles about restraint deaths in the U.S. … plus a
DATABASE identifying 142 restraint-related deaths, the states and facilities they occurred in.
A LINK to this EXTERNAL article originally posted July, 2002.
The entire SERIES (& EXTRA stuff!) coded and posted HERE in March, 2005.
Published in The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
September, 1998 Issue.
AUTHORS: Chan TC, Vilke GM, Neuman T
Abstract originally posted on this Website July 1st, 1998.
Poorly-scanned pages of this article were posted on May 31, 2002.
An html-coded version of the article’s full text was posted in March, 2005.
Go to CHAS’ 2005 Opinion Paper related to this article:
A Comprehensive Review of Frequently Misinterpreted
and Misrepresented Restraint Research
Position and Positional Asphyxia
Reay & Howard write, “We still have concern regarding deaths that occur during restraint.”
Chan et al reply, “We share their concern, that the pathophysiology of these deaths remains
poorly understood and the issue clouded by a multitude of ‘preconceived conjectures.’”
Poorly-scanned pages of these letters were posted on May 21, 2003.
An html-coded version of these letters’ full text was posted in March, 2005.
A Retrospective Study of Deaths in Police Custody and in the Community*
Published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) June, 1998 Issue.
AUTHORS: Pollanen MS, Chiasson DA, Cairns JT, Young JG
Also Posted on This Page:
An Editorial Letter from the same CMAJ issue:
Milliken D. Death by restraint. CMAJ, Jun 1998; 158(12): 1611-12.
AND a newly-posted (Sep/04) Letter to the Editor about Pollanen et al’s 1998 article,
that was published in July of 1999:
Roggla G, Roggla M. Death in a hobble restraint. CMAJ, July 1999;161(1):21
This article’s ABSTRACT was originally posted on this Website August 31st, 1999.
Its full text was posted on June 03, 2002.
PDF files of all THREE offerings were posted on September 15, 2004.The Prone Restraint – Still a Bad Idea*
From a “POLICY REVIEW” Newsletter Published by the
International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Law Enforcement Policy Center
Volume 10, Number 1; Spring, 1998.
A SURPRISINGLY REASONABLE (realistic and accurate)
assessment of the January 1998 Price v. San Diego ruling, and
the November 1997 Chan et al Annals study article, published by the IACP!
The full text of this article was originally posted in November, 2003.
CITATION: Reay DT. Death in custody.
Clin Lab Med March 1998, 18(1) pgs1-22.
AUTHOR: Donald T. Reay, MD.
The article’s ABSTRACT was originally posted on this Website July 6th, 1999.
The full text of this article was originally posted on June 03, 2002.
A PDF file of this 22-PAGE article was finally posted on August 3, 2006.
Ann PRICE et al., v. County of San Diego et al. January 8, 1998.*
This case was clearly a GROTESQUE TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE. Worse than that;
the medical-study-misrepresentation testimony offered under-oath by Dr. Neuman
(o’ the Chan et al bunch) CONTINUES – even in 2005 – to be a contributing factor in ALL
of the restraint asphyxia deaths that have occurred, everywhere in the world, since 1998!!!
This report was originally posted in January 2005.
CHAS REVIEW OF Ann PRICE et al., v. County of San Diego et al.
This review was originally posted in January 2005.
Published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine
November, 1997 Issue.
AUTHORS: Chan TC, Vilke GM, Neuman T, Clausen JL
This article was originally posted on this Website July 1st, 1998.
The Following SEVEN links are RELATED to the above Article!
(1) Reay’s Letter to the Editor of Annals Of Emergency Medicine
Published in the July, 1998 Issue.
Forensic Pathologists Donald T. Reay and John D. Howard
discuss their opinions about Chan et al’s
November, 1997, Annals of Emergency Medicine article,
its research methods, and its conclusions.
This article was originally posted on this Website August 1st, 1998.
Misrepresented Restraint Research
This is the 2005 version of CHAS’ review of this article.
However, if you wish to read the OLD version of CHAS’ review, here it is:
Chan et al.’s 1997 Restraint Position Article is FLAWED
The OLD review was originally posted on August 5th, 1998.
Edited, updated, and re-posted in June, 2002.
And ultimately REPLACED by the 2005 review.
The miserably inaccurate January 14, 1998 San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper article that’s been
interfering with adoption of appropriate restraint practices ever since the pathetic thing was published!
This article was originally posted on this Website July 1st, 1998.(4) Hog-Tied Revisited
Dr. Donald T. Reay (Seattle, Washington, King County Chief Medical Examiner)
responds to the FALSE accusations that he has “Retracted” his Research!
This letter was originally posted on this Website July 1st, 1998.
A PDF file of this letter, containing Dr. Reay’s NOTARIZED SIGNATURE,
was posted in January, 2006.(5) An EXCERPT from The Prone Restraint – Still a Bad Idea
From a “POLICY REVIEW” Newsletter Published by the
International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Law Enforcement Policy Center
Volume 10, Number 1; Spring, 1998.
[The FULL TEXT of this Newsletter is linked above, and another link to same is provided
at the end of this excerpt. However, as its content is important to this collection of postings,
I elected to offer this EXCERPT separately, as well.]
A SURPRISINGLY REASONABLE assessment of the January 1998 Price v. San Diego ruling,
and the November 1997 Chan et al Annals study article, published by the IACP!
This excerpt originally posted on this Website in November, 2003.(6) Dangerous Misinformation Published
Charly’s opinion paper about the San Diego Union-Tribune article.
This material originally posted on this Website July 1st, 1998.(7) An Example of what Dangerous Misinformation Can Do!*
The dangerous San Diego County “News Release” spawned by the misinformation-laden San Diego
Union Tribune article. (An PERFECT example of what MISINFORMATION can accomplish.)
This material originally posted on this Website July 21st, 1999.
Updated on April 13th, 2001.
An EDITORIAL LETTER, published in the, British Medical Journal
BMJ November, 1997;315:1107-1108
AUTHORS: Farnham FR; Kennedy HG (Forensic Psychiatrists)
The full text of this letter was posted on August 1st, 2002.
Published Letters Generated by this Editorial Letter:
