Abstract

Empirical Criteria for the Determination of Suicide Manner of Death

Jobes D A~~Casey J O~~et al

Year: 1991 Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences, v.36, no.1, (January 1991), p.244-256 SIEC No: 19940969

A 16-item instrument was constructed as a tool to assist officials in their investigations & certification of suicidal deaths. The Empirical Criteria for the Determination of Suicide (ECDS) was constructed & validated by using 126 suicide & accident cases obtained from 70 medical examiners. The 16 items retained in the ECDS discriminated suicides from accidents best in relation to self-infliction & intention. In tests, the ECDS correctly predicted 100% of the suicides & 83% of the accidents.