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Some notes on conducting a psychological autopsy
Suicide & Life-Threatening Behavior
|January 1, 1979
Summary
This study details the psychological autopsy method for interviewing suicide victim relatives. It offers recommendations for interviewer training, survivor contact, and experimental controls in death investigations.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Forensic Science
Background:
- Investigating suicide and equivocal deaths requires understanding the victim's mental state.
- Interviews with bereaved relatives are crucial for gathering this information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline standardized procedures for conducting psychological autopsies.
- To provide methodological recommendations for improving data collection in death investigations.
Main Methods:
- The paper describes the psychological autopsy technique.
- Recommendations cover interviewer training, survivor engagement, and the use of experimental controls.
Main Results:
- Standardized procedures enhance the reliability of information gathered from relatives.
- Methodological rigor improves the accuracy of death investigations.
Conclusions:
- The psychological autopsy is a valuable tool for understanding suicide and equivocal deaths.
- Adherence to recommended procedures can strengthen forensic investigations.