The Seven Major Mistakes in Suicide Investigation

By Vernon J. Geberth, M.S., M.P.S.

Homicide and Forensic Consultant

Introduction

• Death investigation involves various police and forensic disciplines working together.
• Miscommunications can lead to errors affecting case outcomes, particularly in suicide investigations.

Mistake #1: Assuming the Case is A Suicide Based on the Initial Report

• Initial reports can lead to critical errors if assumed to be suicide without thorough investigation.
• Investigators must keep an open mind and not be influenced by initial reports or crime scene presentations.
• Case History: A case of a man found hanging, initially assumed suicide, was later discovered to be a homicide.

Mistake #2: Assuming The Suicide Position At the Crime Scene

• Upon hearing "suicide," investigators may take shortcuts, leading to insufficient preliminary investigations.
• Case History: A case where a suicide was declared without proper checks, later found to be a homicide.

Mistake #3: Not Handling The Suicide as a Homicide Investigation

• All death inquiries should be treated as homicides until proven otherwise.
• The CSI Effect: Public perception influenced by crime TV shows leading to misconceptions.
• Case History: An actress's death initially ruled as suicide was found to be a staged homicide.

Mistake #4: Failure to Conduct Victimology

• Victimology is crucial in understanding motives, suspects, and risk factors.
• It involves collecting information on the victim's lifestyle and circumstances leading to death.

Mistake #5: Not Applying Three Basic Investigative Considerations for Suicidal Death

• Considerations include:
  1. Presence of the weapon or means of death.
  2. Self-inflicted nature of injuries.
  3. Existence of victim's motive or intent.
• Important Questions:
  • Is the weapon present?
  • Are injuries consistent with self-harm?
  • Is there evidence of suicidal intent?

Mistake #6: Failure to Properly Document any Suicide Notes

• Suicide notes suggest suicide but require verification for authenticity.
• Questions to consider:
  • Was the note written by the deceased?
  • Did it express suicidal intent?
• Notes should be collected carefully for fingerprint evidence and compared with exemplars.

Mistake #7: Failure to Take Each Factor to its Ultimate Conclusion

• Investigations should focus on methods, motives, wound structures, and crime scene reconstruction.
• A Psychological Autopsy may be used if information is collected concurrently with the event.

Conclusion

• Final determination of suicide is by the medical examiner after all facts are evaluated.
• Investigators' input is crucial in understanding life-threatening behavior or suicidal intent.

These notes cover crucial aspects of avoiding major mistakes in suicide investigations as outlined by Vernon J. Geberth.