During the risk assessment process, custody officers should be aware that items of clothing such as ties, belts, shoelaces and cords could be used as ligatures. All staff have a duty of care and must do all that is reasonably possible to protect the right to life under Article 2 of the ECHR.

induction training in General Forensic Medicine via a course following the FFLM syllabus and standards for this induction training Special consideration should be given to menstruating detainees. Custody officers should ensure that detainees have an opportunity to indicate, privately to a female officer, whether they are menstruating.Officers should use all available information to assess the threat and risks of the situation. They should consider what legal powers or policy they may use and be guided by the Code of Ethics. The ruling in this case is at variance with PACE Code C, Annex A, paragraph 11(e) on strip searches. Despite this ruling, care should clearly be taken in the operational context when considering such intrusive activity. Property removal and storage There is an increased risk of causing positional asphyxia when restraining those of particularly small or large build or those who have taken drugs, medications (anti-psychotics) or alcohol. People restrained in the prone position should be placed on their side or in a sitting, kneeling or standing position as soon as practicable. The Independent Advisory Panel (IAP) has issued advice on restraint and the use of force. For further information, see the Dame Elish Angiolini Report of the Independent Review of Deaths and Serious Incidents in Police Custody. Warning signs for physical violence The arresting/escorting officer must inform the custody officer immediately if any force has been used during the arrest and/or escort of the detainee.

Searching detainees is important as it reduces the risk of harm to staff, protects the safety of detainees and allows material to be seized that may be subject to legal proceedings. All custody suites should retain an adequate supply of replacement clothing to issue to detainees as necessary. Officers must respect the detainee’s dignity and meet their basic warmth and welfare needs. Officers must provide a detainee with alternative clothing if their own clothing is wet, as they may be at risk from hypothermia. Paper suits are not adequate replacement clothing. Search of a police vehicle Where it is necessary for officers to restrain potentially violent or disturbed detainees, it is important that they are properly briefed on any known condition, the warning signs and risk factors for physical violence known about the subject. It is also necessary to have prior knowledge of any relevant medical conditions such as asthma or heart problems, so that detainees can be effectively monitored. The prone position and positional asphyxia Crew boarding mass range: 7A, F-4 US Phantom – 70.8 to 120.6kg; Q7A, F5 – 65.5 to 110.0kg; GRUEA7, Prowler – 71.7 to 114.8kg; 7A F-4 RAF Phantom – 72.6 to 111.1kg; Q7, F104 Starfighter – 68.5 to 107.5kg; H7 – 73.6 to 112.2 kgWhen a call comes in requesting police assistance at an incident, staff should obtain as much detail as possible (see information sources) and pass this information on to the officers who are first on scene. Response officers should have access to information regarding the medical, mental or physical condition and/or lifestyle choices (including drug and alcohol use) of the detainee (and others) prior to their arrival at the scene. This means they are likely to be better equipped to consider the tactical options available that may be necessary and appropriate to the risks that may be presented. Applying the national decision model