HALIFAX - An external investigation has been launched into the arrest and detention of a woman who suffered a stroke while in the custody of Truro, N.S., police and later died.

Victoria Rose Paul was arrested on Aug. 28, 2009, outside of a Truro bar for public intoxication. While in jail, she had a stroke and was taken to a Halifax hospital the next day.

The 44-year-old Indian Brook, N.S., woman died in hospital on Sept. 5, 2009.

Justice Minister Ross Landry announced Thursday that the investigation will determine whether Truro police followed appropriate guidelines and standards in handling her case.

"I'm not here to look for blame or find fault. We'll let the facts speak for themselves and address them in proper format," Landry said in a phone interview.

"I have the utmost confidence in police officers and the process overall, but remember we're dealing with the human element here. In these types of situations it's best to have reflection and re-evaluation."

Landry said his decision to proceed with an investigation under the Police Act was prompted by concerns expressed by Paul's family and the native community after a review of the case by Halifax police found no wrongdoing.

"I must say I had a few questions myself," Landry said. "Should we have known that something was seriously medically wrong? Had we acted sooner on this matter would we have a different outcome?"

The Nova Scotia Native Women's Association and Paul's family had lobbied for a public inquiry.

Cheryl Maloney, the association's president, said she was willing to accept the review into Paul's death.

"We had no choice," Maloney said.

She said the Mi'kmaq community still wants to have a separate discussion with provincial officials on justice issues involving race, gender and social economics.

The probe will be conducted by Nadine Cooper Mont, commissioner of the Nova Scotia Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner.

It will examine how Truro police handled the incident and review the subsequent investigation by Halifax police, which found no wrongdoing.

Maloney said they were encouraged by the fact that Deborah Maloney, a veteran native RCMP officer, will observe and advise the review process.

"Our concern is that she is not a silent observer and that she be able to ask questions, make recommendations and keep the Mi'kmaq community informed on progress," she said.

"The minister says if there is a problem with her role then the doors are open for us to come back any time and have discussions with him on that."

The investigation is expected to take about six months. The report will be provided to Landry and may include recommendations.