An analysis and report of custodial deaths in Nebraska, USA: Part II

Abstract All medico-legal cases investigated by the Nebraska Institute of Forensic Sciences, Inc. in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA, between 2003 and 2009, were reviewed for deaths which occurred in custody ( n = 38). The causes of death, in ranked order, were natural causes 37% (14/38), followed by homicide 21% (8/38), accident 21% (8/38), and suicide 21% (8/38). Each cause of death was then subdivided by age, race, and sex. The findings of this investigation are a continuation of a previous study of the same population from 1991 to 1996 ( n = 51). This article also provided five case studies: two natural deaths, two suicides, and one homicide.