The Role of Psychological Autopsies in Suicide Prevention
Abstract
Department of the Army now requires psychological autopsies to be provided by a mental health officer on all Army active duty members suspected or confirmed suicides or equivocal deaths. There is little published information regarding there increasingly important reports. This paper draws upon: 1) the authors personal experience in conducting psychological autopsies and 2) available printed information. It provides a review of the nature, purpose, process and the important suicide preventive role of these reports. Information on the classification of suicide is provided. The purpose of this paper is to provide information regarding the value of these reports and their role in the Army's overall suicide prevention effort. It is intended to enable the reader to obtain an initial exposure to psychological autopsies and to facilitate their capability to effectively conduct and write a psychological autopsy in order to meet Command and Army Community needs in this area.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADP005577
Entities
People
- Dwayne D. Marrott