Redefining the psychological autopsy: A proposal for collaboration between forensic pathology and investigative psychology

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Solomon
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Pathology ◽  
Psychological Autopsy ◽  
Investigative Psychology

Research Participation Experiences of Informants of Suicide and Control Cases

Crisis ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 238-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul W. C. Wong ◽  
Wincy S. C. Chan ◽  
Philip S. L. Beh ◽  
Fiona W. S. Yau ◽  
Paul S. F. Yip ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Research Participation ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Initial Contact ◽  
Psychological Autopsy ◽  
Autopsy Study ◽  
The People ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Background: Ethical issues have been raised about using the psychological autopsy approach in the study of suicide. The impact on informants of control cases who participated in case-control psychological autopsy studies has not been investigated. Aims: (1) To investigate whether informants of suicide cases recruited by two approaches (coroners’ court and public mortuaries) respond differently to the initial contact by the research team. (2) To explore the reactions, reasons for participation, and comments of both the informants of suicide and control cases to psychological autopsy interviews. (3) To investigate the impact of the interviews on informants of suicide cases about a month after the interviews. Methods: A self-report questionnaire was used for the informants of both suicide and control cases. Telephone follow-up interviews were conducted with the informants of suicide cases. Results: The majority of the informants of suicide cases, regardless of the initial route of contact, as well as the control cases were positive about being approached to take part in the study. A minority of informants of suicide and control cases found the experience of talking about their family member to be more upsetting than expected. The telephone follow-up interviews showed that none of the informants of suicide cases reported being distressed by the psychological autopsy interviews. Limitations: The acceptance rate for our original psychological autopsy study was modest. Conclusions: The findings of this study are useful for future participants and researchers in measuring the potential benefits and risks of participating in similar sensitive research. Psychological autopsy interviews may be utilized as an active engagement approach to reach out to the people bereaved by suicide, especially in places where the postvention work is underdeveloped.

A Multidimensional Theory of Suicide

Crisis ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 416-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoon A. Leenaars ◽  
Gudrun Dieserud ◽  
Susanne Wenckstern ◽  
Kari Dyregrov ◽  
David Lester ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multidimensional Model ◽  
Psychological Autopsy ◽  
Suicide Survivors ◽  
Background Theory ◽  
Independent Verification ◽  
Suicide Notes ◽  
Interjudge Reliability ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Deceased People

Abstract. Background: Theory is the foundation of science; this is true in suicidology. Over decades of studies of suicide notes, Leenaars developed a multidimensional model of suicide, with international (crosscultural) studies and independent verification. Aim: To corroborate Leenaars's theory with a psychological autopsy (PA) study, examining age and sex of the decedent, and survivor's relationship to deceased. Method: A PA study in Norway, with 120 survivors/informants was undertaken. Leenaars' theoretical–conceptual (protocol) analysis was undertaken of the survivors' narratives and in-depth interviews combined. Results: Substantial interjudge reliability was noted (κ = .632). Overall, there was considerable confirmatory evidence of Leenaars's intrapsychic and interpersonal factors in suicide survivors' narratives. Differences were found in the age of the decedent, but not in sex, nor in the survivor's closeness of the relationship. Older deceased people were perceived to exhibit more heightened unbearable intrapsychic pain, associated with the suicide. Conclusion: Leenaars's theory has corroborative verification, through the decedents' suicide notes and the survivors' narratives. However, the multidimensional model needs further testing to develop a better evidence-based way of understanding suicide.

scholarly journals Cognitive bias in forensic pathology decisions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Itiel Dror ◽  
Judy Melinek ◽  
Jonathan L. Arden ◽  
Jeff Kukucka ◽  
Sarah Hawkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Bias ◽  
Forensic Pathology

Confronting Forensic Pathologists

2021 ◽  
pp. 192536212110325
Author(s):  
Victor W. Weedn
Keyword(s):  
Supreme Court ◽  
Forensic Pathology ◽  
Constitutional Rights ◽  
Court Cases ◽  
Forensic Pathologist ◽  
Sixth Amendment ◽  
Lower Courts ◽  
Forensic Scientists

Background: The Sixth Amendment Confrontation Clause gives defendants a right to confront their accusers. Method: U.S. Supreme Court cases that interpreted this right as applied to forensic scientists were reviewed. Results: Melendez-Diaz, Bullcoming, and Williams examined constitutional rights to confront forensic scientists. Lower courts have specifically examined their application to forensic pathology. Whether autopsy reports are considered “testimonial” varies among jurisdictions and has not been definitively settled. Defendants are generally able to compel testimony of forensic pathologists. Where the forensic pathologist is truly unavailable, the surrogate expert should be in a position to render an independent opinion.

Advocacy in Pediatric Forensic Pathology

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. xii-xiii
Author(s):  
Evan Matshes
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Pathology

An alternative approach to Computerized Tomography (CT) in forensic pathology

2009 ◽  
Vol 183 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 87-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asser H. Thomsen ◽  
Anne Grethe Jurik ◽  
Lars Uhrenholt ◽  
Annie Vesterby
Keyword(s):  
Computerized Tomography ◽  
Forensic Pathology ◽  
Alternative Approach

Book ReviewHandbook of Forensic Pathology.

1974 ◽  
Vol 291 (7) ◽  
pp. 370-370
Author(s):  
James L. Luke
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Pathology
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