California Has Outlawed “Excited Delirium” As A Cause Of Death, Striking A Blow Against Police Brutality Cover-Ups
California Has Outlawed “Excited Delirium” As A Cause Of Death, Striking A Blow Against Police Brutality Cover-Ups The pseudoscientific designation of “excited delirium” as a cause of death on death certificates has been outlawed in California. Coroners across the country have nevertheless used the term to retroactively diagnose people who died as a result of abuse by police while in their custody, whether during or after an arrest, despite it not being recognised as valid by the DSM, The American Psychiatric Association, The WHO, The National Association of Medical Examiners, and a host of other professional organisations. Notably, “excited delirium” has been a contributing or determining factor in the cause of death in hundreds of killings caused by Tasers. As one would anticipate for a false diagnosis, the precise symptoms of “excited delirium” are a bit hazy, although they often include intense hostility, heat, and — get this – significantly increased strength. It becomes clea...