Equivocal Death Analysis & Psychological Autopsy Flashcards

Which of the following is a core component routinely included in a formal psychological autopsy report?

Answer: Victim's history of suicidal ideation and prior attempts

A formal psychological autopsy specifically documents the victim's mental health history, including prior suicidal ideation and attempts, as these are directly relevant to the manner of death determination.

Which finding at a scene would MOST strongly indicate staging rather than a genuine suicide?

Answer: No blood or biological transfer on the weapon used to inflict the fatal wound

The absence of blood or biological material on a weapon used to inflict a wound strongly suggests the weapon was placed at the scene after death, indicating staging.

In equivocal death analysis, 'undoing' behavior observed at a crime scene refers to:

Answer: Post-mortem actions suggesting the offender had a personal relationship with the victim, such as covering the face or cleaning wounds

Undoing behavior — covering the victim's face, cleaning wounds, or redressing the body — reflects the offender's emotional connection and remorse, indicating a personal relationship with the victim.

When conducting a psychological autopsy, interviewees who are generally considered LEAST biased are:

Answer: Coworkers and acquaintances with limited personal involvement

Coworkers and acquaintances with limited personal investment are less emotionally involved and therefore tend to provide more objective accounts of the victim's behavior and circumstances.

Gunshot residue (GSR) analysis in equivocal death cases must be interpreted with caution because:

Answer: GSR can be transferred through secondary contact and its absence does not definitively rule out firing a weapon

GSR can transfer to individuals who did not fire a weapon through secondary contact, and its absence does not confirm non-firing, requiring cautious and qualified interpretation.

Which of the following represents the strongest risk factor combination for completed suicide that a psychological autopsy would seek to document?

Answer: History of major depressive disorder combined with prior suicide attempts

A history of major depressive disorder combined with prior suicide attempts is one of the most robust predictive combinations for completed suicide identified in suicidology research.

The psychological autopsy method was originally developed by which researcher in association with the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Center?

Answer: Edwin Shneidman

Edwin Shneidman, working with the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Center in the late 1950s and 1960s, is credited with formally developing the psychological autopsy as an investigative methodology.