Psychological autopsy: retrospective exploration of equivocal deaths in Bloemfontein, South Africa

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to explore and characterise the circumstances surrounding equivocal deaths in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Structured interviews were conducted with family members of the deceased. Participants were between the ages of 18 and 65 years. Six cases which met inclusion criteria were included in this research. The deceased were all males, aged between 20 and 49 years. The findings were that all the deceased came from low socio-economic backgrounds, had low levels of education and with a history of substance abuse, in particular, alcohol. All the deceased had experienced early childhood adversity. One flagged equivocal death was referred back to the Department of Forensic Medicine for further investigation and possible action. It is recommended that psychological autopsy be used in South Africa as a supplementary method of forensic investigations for all suspicious deaths.