NCJ Number
148149
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 39 Issue: 2 Dated: (March 1994) Pages: 402-411
Date Published
1994
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The case records of suicides by firearms in Marion County (Ind.) and surrounding counties from 1984 through 1992 were reviewed to determine the characteristics of those occurring during confrontations with the police.
Abstract
Among 1,203 suicides, 14 took place when armed, on-duty police officers were confronting, pursuing, or apprehending the individual. All of these individuals were males. The peak age range was 30-34 years. The head, especially the right temple, was the usual site of the fatal wound. More than half the incidents started as domestic disputes with a wife or other female friend. Many of the others occurred when police officers pursued or arrested a suspect wanted for a previous felony. Alcohol was involved in less than half of the cases; drugs were not a factor. In at least four cases, the presence of police was a factor that precipitated the suicide. The histories of the 14 cases demonstrate the potential for controversy and the challenges for forensic sciences investigating suicides during police confrontations. Table, photographs, and 22 references (Author abstract modified)