[Analysis of cause of death in Central Rhine prisons and in police detention centers 1949 to 1990].

Using the documents from the Institute of Legal Medicine in Bonn, the deaths (86) in Middle Rhine detention centres and police custody since 1949 were investigated. All the deceased were male (average age 37, range: 18-67 years). As far as deaths from natural causes were concerned, death caused by myocardial infarction was the most frequent. The average age of myocardial infarction victims was 48. In two of these cases Koch's disease of the lung was diagnosed. Death of unnatural causes was the most frequently recorded, accounting for 63% of cases (suicide by hanging of incision injuries = 51%, and death by intoxication = 12.5%). Hanging was the most common means of committing suicide usually being discovered in the morning. Items of clothing and cell windows were the most commonly used objects. Nearly all the suicides were under the influence of alcohol. In 6.8% of cases the drug tests were positive.