Dealing With The Authorities After A Suicide
Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group - Madison, NJ
After losing a loved one to suicide there are many authorities that will become involved. Many families have not had to deal with the police or legal process and can be overwhelmed by the crime scene process. The medical examiner is often called in to examine the scene and may conduct an autopsy of your loved one. Here are some documents that help to explain what will likely happen when and who you can contact for more information
Dealing With The Authorities After A Suicide Death
NJ DOCJ Homicide and Sudden Death Survivor Guidelines
Resource: 15 page PDF
Summary: This document by the NJ Department of Criminal Justice outlines how the survivors of a suicide or other sudden death should be treated. These guidelines are for the police when working with you.
Resource: Webpage
Summary: Explains how to get police records from the NJ State Police.
Resource: Webpage
Summary: Webpage that explains the Open Public Records Act in NJ and how you can get a police report.
A Guide to the New Jersey Medical Examiner System
Resource: 2 page PDF
Summary: This is a simple brochure that explains how the coroner and the autopsy process works in New Jersey.
Request For A Copy of An Autopsy Report
Resource: 1 page PDF
Summary: Depending on where your loved one died, this maybe the form you need to fill out to receive a copy of the autopsy results of your loved one. This can often take 3-4 months before the report is available. Contact the appropriate agency listed below in the Medical Examiner Directory.
NJ County / Regional Medical Examiner Directory
Resource: Webpage
Summary: Contact information for medical examiners in NJ
NJ Office of The State Medical Examiner FAQs
Resource: Website
Summary: Frequently asked questions about the autopsy process and how the medical examiner's office works.
Toxicology Testing and Results for Suicide Victims
Resource: Webpage
Resource: 5 min Podcast
Summary: It is common for drugs and alcohol to be found during the autopsy process. Here are some statistics about the results of drug and alcohol use found after suicides.
Directory of NJ state, county and municipal Law Enforcement phone numbers and addresses
Resource: 50 page PDF
Summary: Contact information for every law enforcement agency in NJ
Resource: 19 page PDF
Summary: This is a blank template that is the Adult Autopsy Reporting Protocol as recommended by the College of American Pathologists.
Autopsy Report: What You Must Know
Resource: Webpage
Summary: Understanding the basics of how the autopsy process works and what they are
Reviewing and Comprehending Autopsy Reports
Resource: 20 Page PDF
Summary: An in depth analysis of the autopsy process and what type of information it can reveal.
The Question of Suicide Equivocal Death Investigations
Resource: Webpage
Summary: From Voltaire, “To the living we owe respect. To the dead we owe only the truth.” That is the purpose of an Equivocal Death Analysis and Investigation (EDA or EDI); collectively referred to as equivocal death case review. This leaves the possibility of closure for the families impossible, particularly if foul play is suspected, or even an accident. The wrong determination can also result in benefits, such as life insurance or workers’ compensation, underpaid - or worse, denied.
Current Trends Operational Criteria for Determining Suicide
Resource: Webpage
Summary: Understanding the criteria that coroners use to determine if a death was a suicide.
The Psychological Autopsy, Part I: Applications and Methods
Resource: 5 Page PDF
Summary: The psychological autopsy (PA) is a procedure that assists in the classification of “equivocal deaths”—note that this term is used throughout this article to indicate situations in which the manner of death (e.g., suicide, accident, other) is uncertain or not immediately clear. The procedure involves a thorough and systematic retrospective analysis of the decedent’s life, with a particular focus on suicide risk factors, motives, and intentions
Books About What To Do Right After A Suicide
What to Do When the Police Leave : A Guide to the First Days of Traumatic Loss -- Third Edition
Author: Bill Jenkins
ISBN: 0966760018
Resource: 160 page Book
Summary: Written by a victim for other victims and their caregivers, this book offers authoritative and invaluable advice, guidance, and resources for families dealing with the traumatic loss of a family member or friend. New to this edition are sections on crime scene cleanup, unsolved cases, grief in the workplace, a new chapter entitled "Long-Term Grief: Living The Marathon," and a Foreword by best-selling author Patricia Cornwell. Finalist in the category of Best First Book in the Publishers Marketing Association's Benjamin Franklin Awards 2000, "What To Do When The Police Leave" is being used by victim assistance programs, clergy, funeral homes, and police departments across North America as they work with and serve the bereaved. It is recognized as one of the most valuable resources available for grieving families. This one of a kind resource is heart-to-heart practical advice from one who has been through the trenches of grief and loss, encouraging and helping others in their own paths. The victims' voice has never spoken so clearly.