The Psychological Autopsy: a Useful Tool for Determining Proximate Causation in Suicide Cases

The use of the psychological autopsy method in determining proximate causation in suicide cases is examined. The history of the psychological autopy & its procedures are reviewed. A variety of cases, including criminal proceedings, are used to illustrate the applications of this method. The article ends with a discussion of the issues raised in the use of the psychological autopsy during expert testimony & the considerations that should be addressed by expert witnesses using this technique.