Psychological autopsies for equivocal deaths

Abstract

Although in use since 1958, the term "psychological autopsy" and its constituent elements have yet to achieve either consensual validation or operational standardization. This calls into question issues of content validity and reliability when psychological autopsies are used in the field. This paper argues for a clear differentiation between psychological autopsies used subsequent to suicide versus equivocal deaths and for the recognition of Equivocal Death Psychological Autopsy as a clearly distinct form of psychological autopsy with its own constituent elements and training guidelines.