Abstract
A psychological autopsy is an essential tool in forensic psychology that serves as a systematic approach to revealing the complexities surrounding suspicious deaths or suicides. This paper explores the importance of psychological autopsies in understanding the psychological states of an individual’s mind before their death. This paper clarifies how psychological autopsies offer valuable insights into the case of death. By scrutinizing a deceased individual’s personal effects, diaries, and social media presence, forensic psychologists can glean insights into whether a death was accidental, self-inflicted, or the product of malicious intent. As forensic psychology continues to evolve, the significance of psychological autopsies is poised to grow, emphasizing their apparent contribution to the field and the pursuit of justice.
Key points: psychology, forensic psychology, psychological Autopsy.
Introduction
Forensic science can be defined as applying scientific methods to criminal or civil cases. In particular, forensic science deals with the analysis of Evidence in criminal cases.
The term “psychological autopsy” refers to a psychological profile to determine the mental state of someone who is not available. The psychological profile of such cases can be based on the information collected from the school, colleges, friends, relatives, and other related persons the person contacted before their death.
What is Psychological Autopsy?
A psychological autopsy is a systematic retrospective investigation into the life, mental state, and circumstances surrounding an individual’s death. Unlike traditional autopsies that focus on physical evidence, psychological autopsies delve into the individual’s psychological profile, including their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and interpersonal relationships. This methodological approach aims to reconstruct the individual’s psychological state leading up to their demise, providing insights into potential motives, triggers, and risk factors.
Goals of Conducting Psychological Autopsy
The investigator makes great efforts to obtain an objective analysis of factors that increased and decreased the Decedent’s risk of suicide. An in-depth understanding of the Decedent’s personality, behaviour patterns and possible motives for suicide is the major goal of Psychological Autopsy.
Some of the goals of are:
1) Identify characteristics like personal stress, depression, Adaptivity of humans,
2) Establish whether or not the deceased was a likely candidate for suicide
3) Identify the presence or absence of motive
4) Presence or absence of mental illness.
MCQs on Forensic Psychology
Methodology
The method involves collecting and analyzing all relevant information on the deceased. All applicable records are reviewed, including medical records, psychiatric records, police records, and autopsy records. An inspection of the place of occurrence and photographs is necessary. A detailed analysis of deceased writings in the form of diaries, journals, e-mails, internet chats, WhatsApp chats, or other social networking groups chats is necessary to analyse.
Forensic psychologist requires the following authentication information to conduct the psychological Autopsy.
1) Interview with the family members, suspects, witnesses & their statements.
2) Crime scene investigation report.
3) Medico-legal opinion.
4) Crime scene visit.
5) Other forensic input and output are available.
Ethical Consideration
Despite its utility, conducting a psychological autopsy presents challenges and ethical considerations. Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of information gathered, protecting the privacy and confidentiality of the deceased and their loved ones, and avoiding bias or subjective interpretation are paramount. Additionally, navigating sensitive issues such as stigma surrounding mental health, cultural differences, and the potential impact on bereaved individuals requires tact and sensitivity.
Limitation of Psychological Autopsy
A psychological autopsy is not the solution for all death investigations, but it throws convincing light on the most probable manner of death. Information gathered for psychological Autopsy is quite personal, so confidentiality is to be maintained strictly. The accuracy of the psychological Autopsy depends on the integrity of the data collected from various sources, so sources and their reliability are significant. These are the following Limitations for conducting Psychological Autopsy.
The legal status of psychological Autopsy
This satisfies the Daubert standard of admissibility in court. In India, a court in Kerala had directed the investigating authorities to conduct a psychological autopsy where the mode of death was ambiguous. This exciting technology gives the judge and jury new scientifically valid Evidence to help them arrive at their decision. Psychological Autopsy is new to Indian Forensics and judiciary; therefore, it lacks judicial precedence. This can be used as an investigative tool, corroborative Evidence, and other findings.
However, subject to judicial scrutiny, under section 293 Cr.PC, it may be admissible as evidence in a court of law. In the Sunanda Pushkar case, the Burari Mass suicide case, and the Sushant Singh Rajput case, the findings of Psychological Autopsy were also utilized.
Conclusion
There is no exact procedure for conducting a psychological autopsy. However, it is the primary investigative tool for understanding suicide and the circumstances surrounding death. It helps us understand why someone might have died in a suspicious way or by suicide. By carefully collecting and looking at information about the person’s thoughts and feelings before they died, psychologists can learn important things. This helps us find out the truth about what happened and bring justice. It also helps us learn how to prevent similar things from happening in the future. As forensic science gets better and better, psychological autopsies will keep being really important in figuring out why things happen the way they do.
References
- Beskow J, Runeson B, & Asgård U (1990). Psychological autopsies: Methods and ethics. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 20(4), 307–323.
- Caulkins, C. (2019, June). The Psychological Autopsy: What, Who, and Why. Www.Researchgate.Net. Retrieved February 8, 2022, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332835408_The_Psychological_Autopsy_What_Who_and_Why
- Gottschalk, L. A. (Ed.). (1977). Guide to the Investigation and Reporting of Drug-Abuse Deaths. The Psychological Autopsy, 42–56.
- Knoll, J. L. (2008). Journal of Psychiatric Practice. The Psychological Autopsy, Part I: Applications and Methods, 14(6), 393–397.
- Psychological Autopsy: Definition, Steps & Ethics. (2022, January 22). Retrieved February 8, 2022, from https://study.com/academy/lesson/psychological-autopsy-definition-lesson.html.
- Schneidman ES (1981). The psychological autopsy. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 11(4), 325–340. 10.1111/j.1943-278X.1981.tb01009.x.
- Sengar, C. (2020, August 26). What is a Psychological Autopsy and Why It Is Done? Onlymyhealth. Retrieved February 8, 2022, from https://www.onlymyhealth.com/what-is-a-psychological-autopsy-and-why-it-is-done-1598357502
- Office of justice: programhttps://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/death-investigation-introductionpsychological-autopsy
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7126/
About the Author
R. S. Induja (3 year) B. Sc. Forensic science technology, student in school of allied health science Salem (Vinayaka research Foundation Salem.
