Purpose
When the manner of death is considered equivocal or undetermined by a medical examiner or coroner, the psychological autopsy is considered the best practice postmortem procedure to:
+ Reconstruct the proximate and distal causes of an individual’s death by suicide
+ Aid in determining the most likely manner of death
Consultation
In the context of sanctioned medicolegal death investigation, systematic suicide prevention efforts, or research, Dr. Harrelson is available to consult and conduct psychological autopsies. Her experience conducting psychological autopsies includes:
+ Conducting psychological autopsies through the Los Angeles County Department of the Coroner
+ Specialized training through the American Association of Suicidology