Do Police Investigate Suicides?
The short answer is: it depends.
In the United States, not all police departments investigate suicides. While suicide is a tragic event that affects families and communities, it is not necessarily a crime scene that requires investigation. However, under certain circumstances, police may still be involved in investigating suicides.
Why don’t police investigate all suicides?
There are several reasons why police might not investigate a suicide:
• Lack of foul play: If a person takes their own life and there is no indication of foul play, such as homicide or assault, there is no need for an investigation.
• Family’s wishes: If a family requests that no investigation be conducted, the police may respect their wishes, especially if the family wants to maintain privacy or avoid media attention.
• No apparent motive: If the suicide appears to be a result of a personal issue, such as mental health or relationship problems, there may be no motive to investigate further.
• Limited resources: Law enforcement agencies may have limited resources and prioritize other, more serious crimes over suicides.
When do police investigate suicides?
While police may not investigate every suicide, there are circumstances under which they may still be involved:
• Manner of death unknown or suspicious: If the circumstances surrounding the death are unclear or raise suspicions, the police may conduct an investigation to determine the manner of death.
• Intentional vs. accidental: If there are concerns that the suicide may not have been intentional, or if there is a possibility of accidental overdose or asphyxiation, police may investigate to determine the circumstances.
• Investigation of scene and witnesses: Even if a suicide appears to be self-inflicted, the police may still investigate the scene to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and piece together the events leading up to the death.
• Preservation of evidence: In some cases, the police may be called upon to preserve evidence related to the suicide, such as taking statements from witnesses, collecting physical evidence, or reviewing medical records.
Examples of when police might investigate suicides
Here are some examples of when police might investigate suicides:
Example | Circumstances |
---|---|
Death scene investigation | A body is found in a vehicle or at a residence with no signs of forced entry or struggle. The police may investigate to determine if the death was a result of natural causes, accidental overdose, or intentional act. |
Unusual circumstances | A person is found dead in a public place, such as a park or public restroom, with no obvious signs of trauma or injury. The police may investigate to determine if there were any witnesses or suspicious individuals in the area. |
Potential crime or fraud | A person dies under circumstances that raise suspicions of foul play, such as a suicide note or cryptic messages indicating foul play. The police may investigate to determine if a crime was committed or if there was any potential fraud or deception involved. |
Conclusion
While not all police departments investigate every suicide, there are circumstances under which they may still be involved. Law enforcement agencies must weigh the need for an investigation against the potential trauma and emotional distress it may cause for families and loved ones. Ultimately, the decision to investigate a suicide depends on the specific circumstances surrounding the death and the needs of those affected.