Suicide Deaths Flashcards
T or F: Suicide is more common in women than men.
AR
False
Risk factors to suicides
AR
Media
Depression
Substance abuse
Impulsivity
What are the common methods?
AR
Hanging & firearm
Types of hanging?
AR
passive: body does not hang freely, feet touch ground
judicial: fullly suspended, C1/C2 fracture
What is the percentage of suicide notes?
AR
30%
What are some indicators that a hanging was done postmortem?
Abrasions, no bruising, handwriting on note does not match, signs of a struggle (HS)
T or F: The weapon is always present at a suicide scene.
False- family or another agency could have moved the weapon (HS)
What are “courage pills”?
Pills, or alcohol, ingested before suicide (HS)
What is an inverted V?
The area on the back of the neck where the noose was pulling up. Additionally, a looser hanging does typically indicate it was done postmortem (HS)
What are other methods used during suicide aside from gunshots and hanging?
Asphyxia, overdose, cutting (HS)
What are some examples of materials that may be used in a hanging?
Rope, belts, cords, chains, shoelaces, anything that is readily available.
(KW)
Where is the position of a knot most likely to be found in a case of suicidal hanging?
At the nape of the neck(back) or on the left side.
(KW)
What are some common things to find and look for in hangings?
Tongue sticking out, a tilted head, petechial hemorrhages, distal lividity.
(KW)
What should be documented when a firearm is present at a scene?
The type of weapon and identifying marks, ownership of the weapon, the wound and range of fire, left/right handedness.
(KW)
In the case of a firearm suicide, what may be more important than the ownership of the weapon?
The victims ease of or level of access to the weapon, as this may have made increased the lethal means available to the decedent.
(KW)
