Journal Published Online: 01 April 1974
Volume 19, Issue 2

On the Improvement of Suicide Determination

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Simply stated, suicide is intentional self-destruction. It is tempting to think of it as a clear-cut phenomenon with discrete borders. But every medical examiner and coroner knows the problem of deciding intent when the blood alcohol level is high and the barbiturate level low. The presence of a suicide note, verified to be in the victim's handwriting, may be accepted as reliable proof of suicide. But a note is found in no more than one third of cases judged to be suicide [1,2]. The criteria employed in the remainder of cases are unstated, although physical circumstances at the scene and toxicologic findings must be assumed to carry much weight. No set of established criteria or indices exists to guide the decision.

Author Information

Murphy, GE
St. Louis County Medical Examiner's Office, Clayton, Mo.
Gantner, GE
St. Louis County, Clayton, Mo.
Wetzel, RD
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo.
Katz, S
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo.
Ernst, MF
St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo.
Pages: 8
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS10172J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS10172J