PSYCHOLOGICAL AUTOPSY (FROM GUIDE TO THE INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING OF DRUG-ABUSE DEATHS - PROBLEMS AND METHODS, 1977 BY LOUIS A GOTTSCHALK, ET AL - SEE NCJ-44092)

• NCJ Number: 44097
• Author(s): E S SHNEIDMAN
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 15 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: INCLUDES APPENDIX F (PAGE 140 OF NCJ-44092)

Annotation

HISTORICAL AND THEORETICAL BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY FOR CLARIFYING THE NATURE OF A DEATH THROUGH THE PROCEDURE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AUTOPSY ARE PRESENTED. WITH EMPHASIS ON DRUG-RELATED DEATHS.

Abstract

A PSYCHOLOGICAL AUTOPSY IS DEFINED AS 'A THOROUGH RETROSPECTIVE INVESTIGATION OF THE INTENTION OF THE DECEDENT WHERE THE INFORMATION IS OBTAINED BY INTERVIEWING INDIVIDUALS WHO KNEW THE DECEDENT'S ACTIONS, BEHAVIOR, AND CHARACTER WELL ENOUGH TO REPORT ON THEM.' THE MAIN FUNCTION OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AUTOPSY IS TO CLARIFY AN UNCLEAR OR UNCERTAIN MODE OF DEATH BY ARRIVING AT THE CORRECT CLASSIFICATION OF THE MODE OF DEATH, I.E., NATURAL, ACCIDENT, SUICIDE, OR HOMICIDE (NASH). IT IS POINTED OUT THAT DRUG-RELATED DEATHS ARE AMONG THE MOST UNCERTAIN OR EQUIVOCAL AS TO THE MODE OF DEATH. A HISTORY OF DEATH REPORTING PRACTICES AND DEATH CERTIFICATES STRESSES THE HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE OF CERTIFYING THE MODE OF DEATH IN TERMS OF INHERITANCE LAWS. THE AUTHOR DESCRIBES HOW TO CONDUCT A AUTOPSY AND PRESENTS TWO CASE REPORTS OF DRUG-RELATED DEATHS TO ILLUSTRATE THE FUNCTION OF SUCH 'PSYCHIATRIC INQUESTS.' SUGGESTIONS ARE PRESENTED FOR THE CONCEPTUAL IMPROVEMENT OF THE DEATH CERTIFICATE: IN ADDITION TO THE NASH CLASSIFICATION, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A MEASURE OF LETHALITY ON THE PART OF THE DECEDENT BE ADDED TO THE DEATH CERTIFICATE, WHICH WOULD INDICATE THE DECEDENT'S ROLE IN HIS/HER OWN DEATH. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.