Suicide: Theory, Practice and Investigation

Suicide is an ageless concern that has been with us as long as man has existed. Forbidden by all religions, suicide has nonetheless become such a practical problem that it is now an everyday concern, resulting in more annual deaths than homicide. Suicide must be seen as a societal and personal problem—it is a complex act with no simple explanation. The motivation is multifaceted, often not understood by the family or by other survivors.    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.   Key Features: Analyzes suicide letters to provide students with unique perspectives not found in other books Covers investigative techniques that will be of interest to professionals and students alike Includes carefully selected photos to explicate the material covered Categorizes suicide into different types including anomic, egoistic, altruistic, and fatalistic to distinguish the various reasons for which people have taken their own lives Integrates notes within the chapters to show the state of mind for those who commit suicide Explores learnings from suicidal behavior to help readers recognize how better to prevent the practice   Suicide is designed for undergraduate and graduate courses in departments of Criminology, Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Forensic Science. In addition, it can also be used for a variety of other courses, including Psychopathology, Sociology of Deviance, Abnormal Psychology, and Violent Crimes. This book will also be of interest to anyone looking for a clear understanding of the extent of suicide in the United States.

Table of Contents:
Preface Chapter 1 Suicide Introduction General Conclusions References Chapter 2 History and Suicide Introduction Selected Historical Analysis of Suicide Christianity and Suicide Emerging Ideas on Suicide Conclusions References Chapter 3 Theories and Types of Suicide Introduction Emile Durkheim Durkheim′s Suicide Typology Types of Suicide Selected Theories of Suicide Conclusions References Chapter 4 Youth and Suicide Introduction Statisctics and Suicide Family Stability and Suicide Mental Health and Youth Suicide Youth Suicide and Correctional Facilities Youth Suicide and Substance Abuse Previous Attempts of Suicide and Completed Suicides Youth Suicide and Sexual/Physical Abuse Conclusions References Chapter 5 Suicide and the Elderly Introduction Suicide and the Elderly Suicide of the Elderly and Statistics Suicide by the Elderly and Psychological Health Conclusions References Chapter 6 Suicide and Violence Among Inmates Introduction Violence Among Inmates Battered Partners, Violence and Partner Suicide Family Violence and Suicide Among Adolescents Conclusions References Chapter 7 Suicide Letters: A Typology and Analysis Introduction Suicide Notes and Letters Categories of Suicide Notes and Letters Implications of Suicide Notes for Suicide Investigation Conclusions References Chapter 8 Selected Atypical Studies Introduction Physician-Assisted Suicide The Patient in Physician-Assisted Suicide Cults and Mass Suicide Conclusions References Chapter 9 Suicide Investigation Suicide Investigation Hangings Poisons Self-Smothering Self-Inflicted Knife Wounds Self-Inflicted Gun Shot Wounds Jumpings Drownings Pedestrian Traffic Suicides Intentional Traffic Suicides Railroad Accidents Conclusions References Chapter 10 Depression, Drugs, Alcohol and Suicide Introduction Suicide: The Role of Depression, Alcohol, and Drugs Conclusions References Chapter 11 Suicide and the Future Introduction What We Have Learned How To Get Better Organizations For Help Conclusions References

About the Author :
Ronald M. Holmes is Coroner, in the Jefferson County Coroner′s office and Professor Emeritus of Justice Administration at the University of Louisville. He is the author of several books, among them Profiling Violent Crimes, Sex Crimes, and Serial Murder. He is also the author of more than 50 articles appearing in scholarly publications. He is Vice President of the National Center for the Study of Unresolved Homicides and has completed more than 500 psychological profiles for police departments across the United States. He received his doctorate from Indiana University. is Coroner, in the Jefferson County Coroner′s office and Professor Emeritus of Justice Administration at the University of Louisville. He is the author of several books, among them and He is also the author of more than 50 articles appearing in scholarly publications. He is Vice President of the National Center for the Study of Unresolved Homicides and has completed more than 500 psychological profiles for police departments across the United States. He received his doctorate from Indiana University. Stephen T. Holmes is Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Central Florida. Prior to this position, he was a social science analyst for the National Institute of Justice in Washington, D.C. He has authored 6 books and more than 15 articles dealing with policing, drug testing, probation and parole issues, and violent crime. He received his doctorate from the University of Cincinnati.

Review :
Ronald Holmes and Stephen Holmes offer a unique text aimed primarily at criminal justice undergraduates, though other behavioral science students will find this work a helpful reference text, too. . . . What makes this work distinctive is its forensic science overlay, as the authors offer detailed coverage on suicide notes and methods.