Psychological Autopsy

A psychological autopsy is research done by specially trained psychologists or psychiatrists into the life and mind of a deceased person. Most often, this type of study is done on victims of suicide or murder. The person performing the psychological autopsy attempts to learn all they can about the subject through interviews with friends, relatives, family members, and employers, as well as an evaluation of their home, possessions, habits, friends, and tastes, to learn what they can about the subject's lifestyle, concerns, moods, and problems to try to find an answer as to why they died. This is a relatively new addition to the techniques used in forensic studies.