NCJ Number
240941
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 39 Issue: 12 Dated: December 2012 Pages: 1633-1646
Date Published
December 2012
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study examined the intent of subjects who were reported to have died violently through the involvement of law enforcement.
Abstract
The term "suicide by cop" (SbC) is used commonly for police-involved shootings that could be considered suicides because of the subject's precipitated actions that demonstrate suicidal intent. The intent of the subject's actions is often complicated and rarely understood. Using Lord and Sloop's revised SbC decision model, the current study used a legal intervention incidents subset within the National Violent Death Reporting System data established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to examine the intent of subjects who were reported to have died violently through the involvement of law enforcement. The study's results support the importance of multiple points of data to make decisions of SbC. Based on the current model, certain personal characteristics, history of suicide attempts, a domestic dispute in progress, and refusal to surrender significantly contributed to the strength of association. Factors considered indicators of irrational thought were not found to be significant predictors. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.