Deaths in Custody Are a Silent Global Tragedy: An Analysis of Burkina Faso's Challenging Environment in Dialogue with International Experiences

This chapter analyzes twenty fatalities occurring in police custody (2016–2020) investigated by Burkina Faso's exclusive forensic medicine agency. Findings indicate systematic deficiencies: lack of medical assessments during detention, recurrent traumatic injuries, infrequent scene investigations, overcrowded and excessively warm cells, and insufficient autopsy and supplementary examinations. The authors contend that fatalities in detention challenge the State's fundamental responsibilities and should be regarded as potentially unlawful deaths in accordance with the Minnesota Protocol and International Committee of the Red Cross guidelines. They expand the concept of “death in custody” to encompass instances disguised by transfers or rapid releases, and they juxtapose Burkina Faso with statistics from China to demonstrate that infrastructure alone does not avert mortality without cultural and structural reform. Recommendations encompass independent expertise, national registries and oversight, rigorous training, and the classification of all deaths in custody as suspicious. The chapter positions forensic investigation as an essential counter to institutional silence.