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.
Содержание
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
Об авторе
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.