Psychological Autopsies Charles Feer, JD, MPA Department of Criminology Division of Behavior Science Bakersfield College

Psychological Autopsies “Equivocal Death Analyses” (EDA) Clinically - Psychological Autopsies has implications for the treatment of survivors. They are useful in homicide investigations; as well as alleged Suicide by Cop incidents; and in Autoerotic Deaths. Requested when the deceased apparently committed suicide but there is a possibility of foul play; or, deceased appears to be a victim of a homicide, but there is a possibility of suicide.

Psychological Autopsies “Equivocal Death Analyses” Is a reconstructive process designed to identify and evaluate the behavior, thoughts, moods, and events that led up to and may have contributed to a person’s death.

Psychological Autopsies Information gathered is from third- party sources: Interviews of significant others, family, friends, co-workers, supervisors, teachers, acquaintances, health-care providers. Records: Work, School, Medical, Letters, Diaries, s, social media postings, websites visited, downloaded material.

Psychological Autopsies Looking for information relating to possible history of depression (or other psychiatric difficulties) previous suicide attempts, history of physical or sexual abuse. Review: Police reports, Coroner’s report, Toxicology reports, C.S.I. reports and photos. Alcohol / Drug use, emotional changes. (Pharmacy printouts.)

Psychological Autopsies Emphasis is to examine the deceased activities 24, 48 and 72 hours prior to death. “Pre-death” behaviors: Paying up Life Insurance Policies? Giving away Possessions? Making arrangements for family and pets? Examine Bank Statements.

Psychological Autopsies Visit the decedent’s home and place of work. (People spend the most amount of their daily lives in personal living and work environments.) Examine “Identity Claims” - “This is who I am.” (Family photos, keepsakes, music, books.) “Behavioral Residue” – physical traces left in the living space by our everyday actions; (Organization, Trash, )

Psychological Autopsies Examine the location where the death took place. Rescuability? (Evidence that victim took precautions against being rescued.) Evidence of planning, rehearsal of the incident.

Suicide When an unexpected suicide occurs, and no suicide note is left, foul play might be anticipated. About one-third of individuals leave a suicide note. Authenticity? Look to content, length of note and sentence fragments. Typically there will be instructions to survivors, terms of endearment (“love” “dear” sweetheart”). Positive emotions with a backdrop of despair.

Suicide by Cop Victim uses police to achieve their own death. They “force” police to kill them. Refused to drop weapon, approached in threatening manner. Estimated 10 – 13% (one estimate says 25%) of all police deadly force cases are SbC. (L.A.S.D found 11% of OIS were deemed SbC) 18 – 54 years old; 98% were male; 50% armed with guns, 17% had replica guns. Many had history of mental disorders. Majority were U.I. of hard drugs/alcohol.

Psychological Autopsies E.D.A.s are disallowed in court as evidence. (They currently do not meet the criteria for “scientific evidence.”) One “Expert’s opinion often differs from another expert’s opinion. There is no “standard” on how to conduct an E.D.A., there are no standards for training or quality assurance. (Lack of consistency creates a lack of reliability.)