Year: 1978 Source: Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, v.8, no.2, (1978), p.75-88 SIEC No: 19820035

Investigates the process of death certification practised by a sample of 191 coroners in 11 Western states. Findings indicate extensive variation in the backgrounds, professional resources, operating procedures & governing statutes of coroners & in policies of governing the use of the suicide mode. The extent of variation found, calls into question the validity & comparability of reported suicide rates & the merit of theory based on official statistics. (MB)