title: A qualitative and quantitative survey of Forensic Medical Examiner workload in the Northumbria Police Force area October 2002-January 2003.
abstract: This force-wide study in the Northumbria Police area provides an audit of the quality and quantity of work carried out by Forensic Medical Examiners (FMEs) over a three month period. Approximately 25% of all arrests during the period of the audit resulted in a request for FME assessment of the detainee. About 79% of consultations were performed to establish fitness to detain, in which over 30% of detainees were intoxicated and over 40% addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. Over 30% of those queried for fitness to detain also required advice and occasionally prescription for medication, both for the management of addiction and the treatment of chronic illness. In comparison to prior work this study found lower rates of mental illness in alcohol and drug dependent populations (13% and 6%, respectively). It is hoped this study will provide information in respect of the specific competencies not only required by future FMEs but also nurses working with detainees within the custody suites.
authors.affiliation: Oxford University Medical School, UK.
authors.forename: Geoffrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Hugh Fergus
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Patton
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Patton
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Megson
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D003334:Coroners and Medical Examiners / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit; D016495:Police / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013041:Specialties, Nursing / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce; D016526:Workload / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*