Suicide Pact: Till Death Do Us Part…

Area of Science:

• Forensic Psychology
• Criminology
• Sociology

Background:

• Suicide pacts are tragic, under-reported phenomena, representing less than 1% of suicides in Western countries.
• Defined as a mutual agreement to die together, requiring consent, intent, and capability.
• Motivations and methods are evolving, influenced by internet and social media trends.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate recent data on suicide pacts.
• To understand the evolution of suicide pacts with the rise of the internet and social media.
• To explore methods for identifying individuals at risk of engaging in suicide pacts.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a literature search from November 2023 to May 2024.
• Utilized electronic bibliographic databases and grey literature.
• Focused on recent data and the impact of digital platforms on suicide pacts.

Main Results:

• Identified diverse categories of suicide pacts.
• The typical profile involves two withdrawn individuals in a close relationship.
• These individuals often perceive their situation as desperate and unresolvable.

Conclusions:

• Prevention strategies can be implemented at multiple levels.
• Screening individuals exhibiting risk profiles is a crucial first step.
• Forensic, criminological, and sociological perspectives are essential for identifying suicide pacts.