Fitness for questioning & medical assessment - police query
Fitness for questioning & medical assessment - police query
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Twentyfour7

Original Poster:

653 posts

176 months

Sunday 6th October 2019
quotequote all
Evening Piston Heads

Would anyone know what the police's process is on assessing suspected criminals fitness for questioning please?

I have been the victim of a crime and the person who committed the crime tried to wriggle out of stating "mental health" reasons. The police weren't proactive and seemed to accept this until I raised a complaint. They said they were waiting to hear from the offender's GP on his fitness to be questioned.

The police said they later interpreted medical correspondence on the offenders mental health status and do not appear to have used a medical specialist to interpret this correspondence or obtain an independent medical opinion on the offenders mental history . I was extremely dissatisfied with how they handled the case and although I have raised a complaint, I still feel it hasnt been taken seriously AT ALL!!

Anyone have any knowledge on correct process or advice please?

24/7

MarJay

2,180 posts

204 months

Monday 7th October 2019
quotequote all
I... Think you should probably get legal advice from legal experts rather than car enthusiasts on a car forum...

This isn't something that the average layperson is going to have knowledge of, and a person who happens to be a police officer and also a member of the forum is probably not likely to give you specifics, as it might constitute legal advice which I assume could be against rules they have to abide by. *shrugs*

Twentyfour7

Original Poster:

653 posts

176 months

Monday 7th October 2019
quotequote all
thanks for the response but would like to still hear from others. I find most piston heads very helpful on here and I would be interested in their thoughts

DuckSauce

390 posts

96 months

Monday 7th October 2019
quotequote all
I only have 1 example of this over 16 years of policing, we used a doctors report, they said not fit, so we didn't pursue it.

That was a very long time ago and the bloke was proper nuts.

I'd get proper advice

edthefed

827 posts

96 months

Monday 7th October 2019
quotequote all
If arrested it would be s matter for Custody Sgt to consider if in their opinion the suspect was a) fit to detain and b) capable of answering /understanding questions put to them.
Any doubts refer to a medical professional for assessment and provision of appropriate adult.

If not arrested any doubts about fitness to interview...get an appropeiate adult to be present during interview.

Very few people are wholly unfit to be interviewed