Forensic Suicidology: Litigation of Suicide Cases and Equivocal Deaths (IN: Suicide: Guidelines for Assessment, Management, and Treatment, edited by B Bongar)

This chapter discusses four areas of suicide litigation: life insurance, malpractice, jail/prison suicides, & workmen’s compensation. It reviews basic forensic concepts, types of suicide litigation, common “mistakes” made by therapists & organizations when treating suicidal persons, retrospective assessment & prediction of suicides, &, ethical issues & practical matters. The approach is pragmatic and case centered. Guidelines are provided for therapy practitioners. (37 refs)