[Medical cooperation in cases of detention. 1 year's experience in the Odense police district]

On 22.5.1987, a law was introduced in Denmark according to which persons under the influence of alcohol detained by the police should, as a rule, be medically examined. In Denmark (not including the Faroe islands and Greenland), 40% out of 26,598 persons placed in detention were medically examined in 1988. Out of 918 persons placed in detention in the Odense police district, 66% were medically examined and of these 5% were referred to hospital for further examination and/or treatment. Four of these were admitted, three of whom had life-threatening poisonings and one on account of a potentially disabling condition. No deaths occurred in detention in Odense. It seems reasonable that all persons placed in detention should be seen by a doctor and, similarly, the protective function of detention should be emphasized.