An analysis and report of custodial deaths in Nebraska, USA

All medico-legal cases from the Lancaster County Coroner's Office in Lincoln, Nebraska USA, between 1991 and 1996, were reviewed for deaths which occurred in custody. The leading causes of death, in ranked order include: natural 45.1% ( 23 51 ), suicide 33.3% ( 17 51 ), homicide 11.8% ( 6 51 ), accident 7.8% ( 4 51 ), and undetermined 2% ( 1 51 ). Each cause of death was explored using the following variables: cause of death, age, sex, and race of the decedents. The findings of this investigation are compared with previous studies in other geographic regions of the country. Many similarities and differences in the frequencies of the modes of death are discussed. In addition, six unusual case studies including one accidental death, one homicide, and four suicides are presented and may serve as a reference for pathologists, forensic physicians and other forensic scientists confronted with aberrant cases.