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”