Istiak Yusuf death: IPCC awaits forensic test results

Investigation of a man's death in custody is incomplete because the police watchdog is awaiting forensic test results, a coroner has heard.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has questioned three of five officers issued with misconduct notices after Istiak Yusuf's death.

Mr Yusuf, 25, died in a cell at Luton police station in June.

A pre-inquest hearing was told the others would be quizzed when substances found on Mr Yusuf had been analysed.

Ampthill Coroners Court heard the IPCC investigation is expected to be concluded prior to the full inquest, which is due to take place in December.

Mr Yusuf died after being arrested on 13 June on suspicion of domestic violence at the Purley Centre in Luton.

At the time, Bedfordshire Police said he later died after becoming unresponsive in his cell and the force believed his death was not connected to any police action.

Later however, the IPCC issued five police officers and three detention officers with misconduct notices, one for gross misconduct.

An initial post-mortem examination proved inconclusive and the IPCC said a preliminary report concluded there was "no indication of physical contact as a potential cause for death and no evidence of any restraint".

The watchdog said it had reviewed CCTV of Mr Yusuf's time in custody and the investigation was focusing on the adequacy of searches conducted when he was arrested and booked into custody and also the adequacy of cell checks.

The Yusuf family's solicitor Attiq Malik said they wanted to see the toxicology report on the substances found but it was not an issue at this stage.

"It doesn't seem crucial but there's always a caveat - until you see the final product you cannot make a decision," he said.