Post on 22-May-2015
WARREN MCLEOD, MA, D-ABMDISOUTH PUGET SOUND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Homicide InvestigationChapter 13
Suicide
Intentional taking of one’s own life.Risk factors:Past attemptsHistory of mental disorders (depression)History of alcohol/drug useFamily history of suicide *Family history of child abuseImpulsive tendenciesBarriers to accessing treatmentLoss *IllnessEasy access to lethal meansStigma of treatment
Suicide
Cultural/religious beliefsIsolationDEPRESSION:-mood disturbance-sadness/despair/discouragement from
personal lossClusters of symptoms:EmotionalCognitiveMotivationalSomaticEmotional/cognitive symptoms affect motivational
symptoms=“paralysis of the will”
Suicide
EMOTIONAL:-sadness-anxiety-loss of interest -eating-sexCOGNITIVE:-negative self worth -despair-failed-inferior
Suicide
-low esteem-hopelessness-doomed MOTIVATIONAL SYMPTOMS:-trouble getting started-passivity/lack of activity-Paralysis of will SOMATIC SYMPTOMS:-biological manifestations-loss of appetite/interest in sex-weight loss
Suicide
-sleep disturbances-susceptible to illnessesOTHER MOTIVES:-clinical to the bizarre-life changes-punish survivorsTHE INVESTIGATION:-more problems -families embarrassed-religious reasons-own guilt
Suicide
INVESTIGATIVE CONSIDERATIONS:Possible? Weapon/means-present?-in hand/within reach-blow back-survival time factorWoundsCutting/stabbing-neck/wrists-mid & left chest areas/multiple-hesitation marks-number v lethality
Suicide
Gunshot:-head/mouth-chest/abdomen-powder burns/soot
Hanging:-Scene plausible?-Staged?-ligature marks
Suicide
Jumpers:-landing site-starting point
Overdoses:-medication inventory-bottles
Struck:-trains-vehicles-interview of operators
Suicide
Bizarre suicides:Blasting cap (404)Fireplace (405)Self-mutilation (407)People stick with what they know
Suicide notes:-Clark County 14%-direct communications indicating intent-most often legible/coherent-sometimes nice to survivors sometimes not
Suicide
Notes:
-intent
-content
-prints
-exemplars
-electronic
Suicide
PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE:Family/friends/coworkers-depressed-verbalize (ideations)-attempts-recent mood (s) -life changes-recent losses-financial- alcohol/drug/gambling -future plans-self-imposed isolation
Suicide
EXTREME DANGER SIGNS:
-suddenly happy/calm
-giving away possessions
-past tense
Suicide
FINAL EXIT:-victim-facilitated
Two parts: -self-deliverance
II. Euthansia involving doctors and nurses -Dr. Jack-meds -letters
-STAGING!!!!!!
Suicide
SUICIDE-BY-COP-police colloquialism
-reduces sin/stigma
-simple/no courage
-social conscious
Suicide
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY OF SUICIDE BY COP:
1. Grandiosity
2. Parent figure
3. “Super cause”