Suicide : Theory, Practice and Investigation

Suicide: Theory, Practice and Investigation is the only text available in paperback form that offers an accessible overview of suicide in the United States. Written by Ronald M. Holmes and Stephen T. Holmes, two of the foremost authors of murder and violent crime books in the world, this book examines the social problem and criminal justice concerns of suicide from unique perspectives. The authors discuss the various forms of suicide and analyze the latest data on regional differences and how gender, marital status, occupation, health, drug use, and religion all influence the practice of suicide.

Preface

ix

Acknowledgments

xiii

Suicide in the United States

1

(14)

What Is Suicide?

2

(3)

Basic Definitions

2

(1)

The Extent of Suicide

3

(2)

Suicide Attempts

5

(7)

Marital Status and Suicide

6

(1)

Occupation and Suicide

7

(1)

Regional Differences and Suicide

8

(2)

Correctional Inmates

10

(2)

Suicide and the Survivors

12

(1)

Conclusion

13

(2)

History and Suicide

15

(12)

Selected Historical Analysis of Suicide

17

(7)

Suicide in Ancient Greece

17

(1)

Ancient Roman Society and Suicide

18

(2)

Christianity and Suicide

20

(4)

Emerging Ideas on Suicide

24

(1)

Conclusion

25

(2)

Theories and Types of Suicide

27

(12)

Emile Durkheim

27

(1)

Durkheim's Suicide Typology

28

(2)

Types of Suicide

30

(3)

Anomic Suicide

30

(1)

Altruistic Suicide

30

(1)

Egoistic Suicide

31

(1)

Fatalistic Suicide

31

(2)

Selected Theories of Suicide

33

(4)

Biology and Suicide

33

(1)

Psychology and Suicide

34

(1)

Religion and Suicide

35

(2)

Conclusion

37

(2)

Youth and Suicide

39

(12)

Statistics on Suicide

41

(1)

Family Stability and Suicide

42

(2)

Mental Health and Youth Suicide

44

(1)

Youth Suicide and Correctional Facilities

45

(1)

Youth Suicide and Substance Abuse

46

(1)

Previous Attempted Suicides and Completed Suicides

47

(1)

Youth Suicide and Sexual and Physical Abuse

48

(1)

Screening Programs and Youth Suicide

49

(1)

Conclusion

49

(2)

Suicide and the Elderly

51

(16)

Suicide and the Elderly

51

(7)

Types of Elderly Suicide

57

(1)

Elderly Suicide and Statistics

58

(2)

Elderly Suicide and Physical Health

60

(1)

Elderly Suicide and Psychological Health

61

(4)

Conclusion

65

(2)

Suicide and Violence Among Intimates

67

(14)

Violence Among Intimates

68

(2)

Battered Partners, Violence, and Partner Homicide/Suicide

70

(7)

What to Look for in Older Adults and Homicide/Suicide

77

(2)

Family Violence and Suicide Among Adolescents

79

(1)

Conclusion

79

(2)

Suicide Letters: A Typology and Analysis

81

(18)

Suicide Notes and Letters

81

(1)

Categories of Suicide Notes and Letters

82

(14)

Financial

83

(3)

Love Scorned

86

(2)

Physical Health

88

(3)

Mental Health

91

(5)

Implications of Suicide Notes for Suicide Investigation

96

(1)

Conclusion

96

(3)

Selected Atypical Suicides

99

(14)

Physician-Assisted Suicide

100

(2)

Who Are the Patients in Physician-Assisted Suicides?

102

(2)

Cults and Mass Suicide

104

(5)

Case Study: Jonestown, Guyana

104

(3)

Case Study: The Heaven's Gate Cult

107

(2)

Terrorism

109

(1)

Conclusion

110

(3)

Suicide Investigation

113

(14)

Suicide Investigation

113

(1)

Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wounds

114

(3)

Searing

115

(1)

Trace Evidence

116

(1)

Position

116

(1)

Entry and Exit Wounds

116

(1)

Postmortem Activity of the Body

117

(1)

Hanging

117

(1)

Poisons

118

(3)

Chemicals

118

(1)

Plants

118

(1)

Pills

119

(1)

Illegal Drugs

119

(1)

Carbon Monoxide

119

(2)

Self-Smothering

121

(1)

Self-Inflicted Knife Wounds

122

(1)

Jumping

122

(1)

Drowning

123

(1)

Pedestrian Traffic Suicides

123

(1)

Intentional Traffic Crashes

124

(1)

Fire

124

(1)

Railroad Accidents

125

(1)

Conclusion

126

(1)

Depression, Drugs, Alcohol, and Suicide

127

(12)

Suicide: The Role of Depression, Alcohol, and Drugs

127

(9)

Depression and Suicide

127

(3)

Drugs and Suicide

130

(4)

Alcohol and Suicide

134

(2)

Conclusion

136

(3)

Suicide and the Future

139

(14)

What We Have Learned

139

(8)

History of Trauma and Abuse

139

(1)

Mental Disorders

140

(1)

Previous Suicide Attempts

141

(1)

Alcohol and Substance Abuse

142

(1)

Financial Losses

143

(1)

Personal or Relationship Losses

144

(1)

Health Issues

144

(1)

Religious Beliefs

144

(1)

Difficulty in Work or Occupational Settings

144

(1)

Verbal Hints

145

(1)

Loss of Pleasure in Previously Pleasurable Activities

145

(1)

Neglect of Personal Appearance

145

(1)

Change in Eating or Sleeping Habits

145

(1)

Persistent State of Boredom

146

(1)

Placing Personal Items in Order

146

(1)

Giving Away Personal Possessions

147

(1)

Withdrawal From Primary Group Members

147

(1)

How to Get Better

147

(2)

Organizations for Help

149

(1)

Conclusion

150

(3)

References

153

(12)

Index

165

(12)

About the Authors

177

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

FREE SHIPPING

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Suicide : Theory, Practice and Investigation

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials