11. Psychological autopsy

Question 1

Psychological autopsy

Answer 1

Trying to determine someone’s state of mind leading up to their death/disappearance

Question 2

Equivocal death analysis

Answer 2

Determining whether a dead was at the hands of the victim or someone else

Question 3

Purpose of psychological autopsy

Answer 3

Identified triggers in the event of suicide
Aid with crime reconstruction
Answer questions about capacity prior to death
Help survivors deal with grief/loss
Gain information about behaviour
Help with expert testimony at trial

Question 4

Potential sources of information

Answer 4

Records (school, military, phone, employment, medical and psychiatric)
History of medication
Acquaintance reports
Comparisons against archival data
Reports about conflicted relationships or other stressors (e.g. events leading to loss of hope)
Changes in wills or life insurance policies
Death history or mental illness in family
Interviews with eyewitnesses or police officers
Post mortem reports
Examination of the scene
Victim’s preferred books/music/games
Journals, correspondence or suicide note associated with the victim
Behaviour patters noted by peers, especially unusual recent behaviour

Question 5

Fundamental attribution error

Answer 5

Assigning meaning when there is none