Risk Factors Associated with Excited Delirium Syndrome and Arrest-Related DeathS Darrell L . Ross , Ph . D .
The daily realities of the job of law enforcement officers ( LEO ) reveal that the occupation is inherently dangerous . Confronting a violent , agitated , assaultive naked subject running in the street , poses a risk of harm to the subject , to the LEO , and to the public . In some of these calls the subject aggressively resists and assaults the LEO requiring the use of less-lethal force measures and restraints , and the subject suddenly died after the struggle . The subject ’ s behaviors increased the risk of an arrest-related death ( ARD ) and are commonly associated with Excited Delirium Syndrome ( ExDS ). The cause of death is often listed as undetermined , but pathologists frequently cite chronic illicit drug abuse , psychosis , diseased organs , struggle against police restraints , and compressional asphyxia as contributing factors . Given the millions of
Given the millions of calls for service and millions of arrests made annually by LEOs , the occurrence of a non-firearm ARD death is estimated to occur once in every 2,600 use of force encounters , or once during an LEO ’ s career .
calls for service and millions of arrests made annually by LEOs , the occurrence of a non-firearm ARD death is estimated to occur once in every 2,600 use of force encounters , or once during an LEO ’ s career . 1 While rare , an ARD is a high risk incident , poses significant risks to the subject , poses a risk of injury to responding LEOs , comprises numerous complex medical and mental health issues , and questions emerge about the force measures applied . These incidents have triggered community unrest , spawned civil lawsuits and in some cases , the LEO is terminated and criminally prosecuted . 2
Researchers , police administrators , training instructors , and the IACP have recommended that LEO ’ s recognize the symptoms associated with ExDS . 2-7
Recognizing these symptoms can assist in mitigating the associated risks to responding LEOs , to the subject , and responding paramedics which can guide reasonable response strategies . This article describes the common symptoms and risk factors associated with ExDS , describes the risk factors impacting officer safety , and describes the implications for an LEO ’ s response to these confrontations .
This article is the first in a series which addresses non-firearm ARD ’ s , emerging liability issues , policy and training implications , and considerations for performing investigations .
Symptoms of Excited Delirium and Associated Risk Factors ExDS is a syndrome which is described as the association of several clinically recognizable symptoms which occur together . 8 ExDS is defined as the sudden death of a person involving the acute ( minutes
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