Page 27 - Forensic News Journal Jan Feb 2018

Psychological Autopsies

always easily obtained; patterns in the same way? always criminal in na-

weeks, months or years Probably not. These ture. The components of
may pass, before signifi- points are paramount dur- this type of psychological
cant information becomes ing an investigation. A interview allow the in-

apparent. The manner of closed door usually means terviewer to see possible
questioning is extremely you tried going through intentions of the decedent.

important, since inter- the wrong door. Our lives Information gained may
viewees’ emotions are are interconnected; it is benefit civil competency
heightened and trauma can your job as an investigator investigations into gifts,

cloud their memories and to uncover the connecting investments or agree-
cognitive pro- ments. Malpractice

cessing. Repeat cases and worker’s
interviews is not compensation cases
uncommon and may also benefit from

often preferred in leads resulting from a
certain situations. psychological autopsy.

In the meantime, Even if the specific
asking for names cause leading to a per-
of other people son’s death is not deter-

who were friends mined, timing and cir-
and acquaintances Photo Courtesy of clomedia.com cumstances may point

is recommended to why the death oc-
to expand the decedent’s pieces of a person’s life, in curred at that time, instead
social network. order to follow their emo- of sooner or later. It is the

tional, social, and cogni- combination of questions
Here is a quick exercise. tive pathways. and answers probing into

View your social media a decedent’s biological,
sites; your social circles Psychological autopsies psychological, and social
probably vary depending involve searches into a welfare that may clarify

on your lifestyle, career, decedent’s mind, man- what initially seemed like
or interests. I doubt all nerisms, and habits to a mass of noncorrelations.

of your friends and ac- uncover possible leads to
quaintances know one their intentions prior to No amount of informa-
another. Better yet, would their death. As mentioned tion will ever completely

everyone describe your earlier, these searches into explain why a person acts
personality and behavioral equivocal deaths are not in a manner that warrants

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