A was a 31 year old gentleman who had been arrested for a drug related offence. During his arrest, it was stated by the police, that he had seriously injured an officer and A subsequently received injuries during the commotion. As a result of these injuries, he was taken to the Emergency Department by the police and was diagnosed as having a fractured right zygoma. He was given an appointment for follow up the following day. A forensic physician (FP) was called to see him to assess his fitness for detention and interview. The doctor noted that A could not remember if he had been knocked out, that he smelt of alcohol and that his face was so swollen he could not open his right eye. He was deemed unfit for interview and given the medication prescribed by the hospital. The following day, another FP was asked to review his fitness for interview after A had attended the Hospital. According to A, he would have been admitted had there been any beds and that he had to re-attend 48 h later for surgery. He was still in considerable pain and had not slept, so the FP deemed him unfit for interview, prescribed stronger analgesia and review after 8 h sleep. As this man was held on a serious arrestable offence and had not been charged, during this time authorization was granted for a further 36 h which expired at 1 pm the following day. I saw A at noon the following day, 27th November 2002. The police had requested a FP at 8 am, but I was the first available, as it was a normal working day. I was informed that time was running out to interview the man due to the constraint of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. The police were keen to interview,