Psychological Autopsy - A Tool in Suicide Research

The psychological autopsy (PA) method has been extensively used in suicide research. The term psychological autopsy was coined by the father of modern suicidology, Edwin Shneidman. Since its development in the 1950s, PA has made a significant contribution to suicide research, bereavement and postvention, legal areas, and forensic investigations (from which it originates). The current chapter will give a brief overview of the history of PA and the development of qualitative and quantitative approaches. We will look further into its methodology and shortcomings, with examples focused on a suicide research perspective.