Forensic Biology
The purpose and objectives for defining cases of excited delirium includes the following:
- The development of the first inventory of stored brain tissues archived in a dedicated repository for in-custody deaths related to the use of restraint measures and less lethal technologies.
- Availability of human neuropathological specimens in sufficient numbers to support recent and rapid advances in biological and molecular medicine targeted to the problem of in-custody excited delirium deaths.
- Standardized methods to obtain postmortem specimens from excited delirium deaths with available forensic, autopsy, clinical and toxicologic information.
- The creation of a relational database and information system that will fully integrate forensic autopsy, clinical and toxicology information for the brain tissue specimens together with neurotransporter and gene expression results.
- Consensus review by an independent panel and dissemination of the information to guide policy and practice procedures by law enforcement agencies and medical examiner departments relating to in-custody deaths and the use of less lethal technologies.
