Resource Tag: DEATH INVESTIGATIONS

This chapter explores the medical examiner’s investigative process leading to the final manner of death determination in a “death at the hands of police”. A comparison of police shooting cases investigated by several Chief Medical Examiner’s offices in a large metropolitan area reveals that it varies by office & by examiner. The final classification by […]

A total of 624 consecutive gunshot autopsies from the Institutes of Legal Medicine in Munster & Hamburg were investigated retrospectively. In a subsample of 284 suicides & 293 homicides, a large variety of features such as firearm, ammunition, number & site of entrance wounds, shooting distance, & direction of the internal bullet path were recorded […]

From each case of suicide & drug-related death autopsied in the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Munich during the years 2001-2005, a toxicological investigation for antidepressants was performed. In 180 suicides & 72 narcotic drug deaths, antidepressants were detected. There were serious differences in the frequency of antidepressants with respect to the manner of suicide. The […]

65 consecutive cases of suicide by sharp force in Munster, Germany were investigated by evaluating autopsy & prosecution department records. Suicides constituted 17% of all fatalities from sharp force autopsied between 1967-1996. Young males & persons with a psychiatric history predominated among those who chose this method. (29 refs.) JA

In real life, suicide may occur at a rate double the murder rate, yet is is relatively rare in detective fiction. This chapter examines reasons for this, asserting that the rules Auden, Van Dine, & Knox laid out for the genre have remained influential. These rules, particularly Auden’s, provide insight into audience needs & satisfactions […]

Out of 138 clearly defined gunshot suicides which were autopsied at the Institute of Legal Medicine in Munster, 11 persons fired 2 or more gunshots to the body. A general classification is derived from the literature & illustrated by the cases presented. A thorough post-mortem can exclude or quantify the potential for physical activity. Typical […]

Accurate statistics are vital for appropriately targeted prevention strategies & research, costing of suicide, & to combat associated stigma. Underreporting of Australian suicide rates probably grew from 2002-2006. Systemic reasons for undercounting include absence of a central authority for producing mortality data; inconsistent coronial process for determining intent; collection & coding methods that are problematic […]

This study sought to determine the reliability of the Finnish National Register of Medicolegal Autopsies by comparing its data with cause-of-death statistics published by the Central Statistical Office of Finland & to assess its usefulness for epidemiological forensic research. The comprehensivesness of the register over the period 1986-1991 was studied in general terms & tested […]

The reporting pathways & statistics between relevant stakeholders for reporting suicides & undetermined deaths in Cornwall were evaluated. The correlation of the numbers provided for suicides & open verdicts given by different national & regional agencies were checked. Results show the data transfer between the relevant agencies can be inaccurate. These inaccuracies not only prevent […]

This study examined autopsy findings from suicides in Ankara, Turkey in which firearms were used. Results were compared to those from other studies. 115 cases were male, the ratio of male to female suicides was 5:1 & the mean age was 31.96 years. 40 cases were between 12 & 20 years of age. Gunshot-related crimes […]

This study investigated some features of suicides in the Trakya region of Turkey. During the 21-year period, January 1984-September 2004, there were 137 suicides autopsied. Suicides comprised 16.1% of all forensic autopsies. 27% of cases were between 21 & 30 years of age. Males constituted 78.1% of cases. Suicide rates in males showed an increase […]

This study examined 1725 cases of unnatural deaths autopsied in the mortuary at Dhaka Medical College during 1996. 130 of the deaths were suicides. The male to female ratio was 1.7:1. The majority of suicides occurred among individuals in the age range 11-40 years. (14 refs.)

This study explored the decision-making processes of medical examiners in the determination of child suicide. 94 American medical examiners completed a survey regarding those factors considered when making a child suicide determination, sources of information used, & considerations in acccident versus suicide classifications. Well-known risk factors such as suicide notes were considered by virtually all […]

In these letters to the editor, the authors comment on a study, published in 2009, by Purandare & colleagues on suicide in dementia. Questions are raised about the study design. The reply of Purandare & colleagues follows.

This article examines the influence that the suicide of Robert Seymour, an illustrator, had upon Charles Dickens & the development of “The Pickwick Papers”. {35 notes)

This study sought to identify cause-of-death categories in which suicides might be misclassified in Taiwan. Secular trends, 1971-2007, were plotted in gender- & method-specific rates of death classified as suicide, undetermined intent, & accident for the Taiwanese population aged 15 years & older & compared the gender, age, & marital status profiles in these 3 […]

~

The author describes the painting “Ophelia” by John Everett Millais first displayed in 1852. Reaction at the time was mixed. Harris discusses Hamlet’s reflection on suicide as contrasted with Ophelia’s death. Although it seemed accidental, her apparent failure to try to save herself raises the question of suicide. Harris further discusses Shakespeare’s use of these […]

From May 1985-May 1989, 126 autopsies were parformed at the Sao Paulo City morgue on individuals with AIDS whose unnatural deaths had prompted police investigations. 29 deaths resulted from suicide. Various methods of suicide were used & the majority of victims were still in the initial stages of the disease. Attention is drawn to both […]

This study analyzed alcohol in fatalites in Hinds County, Mississippi (a dry county) compared to Contra Costa County, California (a wet county). Data on all unnatural deaths during a 1-year period among those 18 years & older were abstracted from county coroner’s files. 222 cases in Hinds County & 304 cases in Contra Costa County […]

This presentation reviewed the epidemiology of suicide in Switzerland for the period 1877-1977. Information was provided on changes by age group and changes in methods. A noticeable fluctuation was delineated in the rates of non-Swiss populations, although this finding was provisional pending final official statistics.

This workshop was for medical examiners & other forensic professionals & was intended to provide criteria towards the determination of verdicts of suicide.

Between January 2003 & December 2007, 81 children & youth died by suicide in British Columbia. This review identified the risk factors present in their lives & what health & social services they received. The findings of the review were presented to a child death review panel who were asked to develop recommendations aimed at […]