Chapter 7 - Psychological Autopsy: Consultative Tool for Suicide Determination

Abstract

The psychological autopsy has become an essential part of the evaluation of manner of death in difficult forensic cases. Through careful assessment of scene investigation, autopsy findings, the decedent’s psychological background, presence or absence of risk factors for suicide, and other information, mental health professionals can provide significant insight into the decedent’s state of mind at the time of death. In a “contested” case, the medical examiner has determined that the manner of death is suicide and the psychological autopsy determines whether there is enough evidence to overcome this presumption. In an “equivocal” or “undetermined” case, the medical examiner does not have enough information to determine the manner of death. The purpose of the psychological autopsy in this situation is to look for information that either supports or contradicts a mental condition consistent with suicide.