Suicide by Cop: Issues in Outcome and Analysis (From Suicide and Law Enforcement, P 587-597, 2001, Donald C. Sheehan and Janet I. Warren, eds. -- See NCJ-193528)

• NCJ Number: 193579
• Author(s): Emily A. Keram; Brien J. Farrell
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 11 pages
• Sale Source: US Dept of Justice
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: A paper submitted to the Suicide and Law Enforcement Conference, FBI Academy, Quantico, VA, September 1999.

Annotation

The authors, a forensic psychiatrist and an assistant city attorney, present findings from their work in relation to the phenomenon of "suicide-by-cop" (SBC), with attention to incident nomenclature and definition, decedent profiles, and incident characteristics; psychological sequelae experienced by officers and law enforcement agencies; law enforcement training; and issues that arise in subsequent litigation.

Abstract

The term "suicide-by-cop" describes the behavior of suicidal individuals who provoke police officers to kill them. Completed SBC's comprise an estimated 9-28 percent of officer-involved shootings, although almost all are classified by coroners as homicides rather than suicides. All such incidents have two features in common: (1) the precipitator intended to produce his own death; (2) and did so by creating a threat to the life of another, causing an officer to perceive that only the use of deadly force could prevent the carrying out of the threat. Incidents of SBC should generally be handled by police agencies in the same manner as any officer-involved shooting, but with additional concerns that arise out of the unique nature of the incident. The psychological distress experienced by the officer may be magnified because of the suicidal intent or mental illness of the precipitator. The agency, therefore, must provide needed support for the officer. Senior spokespersons for the department must make the public aware of SBC's and clearly state to the public the department's policy in such cases, which relieves the officer of any moral, professional, or legal violations for his or her actions in shooting the precipitator of the incident. Prior training of officers in the existence and handling of SBC's can help temper the severity of the consequences experienced by some officers. Post-incident analysis and the use of forensic experts to investigate the incident are important in ensuring that all responses and actions subsequent to the incident are based on accurate facts and analysis of the evidence. Attention is given to legal issues that may arise from SBC's, with examples of two recent court cases provided. Among the issues discussed is the current state of the law regarding the admissibility of evidence pertinent to the precipitator's motive, plan, or intent.