Details the development of 4 scales (4 variables: sex-male & female-& age-older than 40 yrs & younger) to predict the risk of suicidal death. 465 currently suicidal & 52 who died of suicide were selected the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Centre’s files. A discriminant function analysis showed high sex & age weightings so that 4 analyses were performed. 2 forms of the scale (long & short) were derived. Factor analysis of the scales provide theoretical confirmation of their predictive value.