Dr. Kjell Erik Rudestam has investigated the effect of suicide on the victim’s family & friends, using the psyhological autopsy approach. Some conclusions drawn from it include: Survivors exhibit a wide range of affect states, including guilt, anger, fear, & depression.The interview served a therapeutic function; survivors suffer medical & psychosomatic problems as a part of the grief process; they continually search for an explanation of the suicide; & suicide affects family relationships.