There is a saying that “stories are science,” and this notion holds particular significance when conducting psychological autopsies to investigate police officer suicides among active and retired members. The idea that stories are science is not a universally applied concept; its validity lies specifically in the context where stories are thoughtfully invited, systematically collected, and analyzed with scientific rigor, professionalism, and compassion to generate new insights from past police suicides.
The purpose of methodically inviting these stories is twofold. First, it honors the life the officer lived while serving others. Second, it contributes to efforts aimed at preventing future police suicides. The primary method of collecting this information is through interviews with people directly impacted by the suicide, including family, friends, and coworkers. While investigators seek to honor the life of the decedent (the person who died by suicide), there must also be respect for the humanity and dignity of those sharing their valuable insights with the investigators.
The psychological autopsy is increasingly recommended as part of both suicide prevention and postvention efforts in policing. As a follow-up to a previous Police Chief article, in which the author outlined the framework of the psychological autopsy, this article aims to build on that foundation by shedding light on the still-mysterious and sometimes misunderstood processes and outcomes of psychological autopsy interviews.1
The Psychological Autopsy Process
The psychological autopsy involves multiple steps and participants and is initiated after an active or retired police officer dies by suicide. Often, an agency launches an investigation immediately following an officer’s suicide. A psychological autopsy is not intended to replace or interfere with this investigation; instead, it supports the process proactively by first training detectives to conduct their work effectively. Subsequently, the information gathered during their investigation can supplement the psychological autopsy.
In practice, the police investigation team begins its work immediately, while the psychological autopsy team remains in consistent and appropriate contact with them.
The psychological autopsy team requires collaboration—a group of individuals with specialized expertise—since it is unreasonable to expect one person to manage all aspects of this process. Each team member should receive formal training in psychological autopsy procedures. Table 1 outlines the roles of a typical team and provides examples of their responsibilities.
Table 1: Psychological Autopsy Team:
| Position | Role/description |
| External Suicide Expert* | It is highly recommended that this role be external to ensure independent expertise and perspective. In most cases, this person will lead the team. |
| Mental Health Professional* | This position may be internal, but it requires specific expertise in policing. |
| Peer Support Member |
This member offers knowledge about the decedent if they had reached out to peer support. They also aid the interview process by providing insight to the cultural aspects of the decedent’s unit/agency. Additionally, a peer support member should be assigned to the family to assist them. |
| Wellness Team Member | The responsibilities of a wellness team member are similar to those of the peer support member. |
| Medical Unit/EAP Member | This team member provides sensitive information that is uniquely within their access. |
| Investigative Team Member | They play a vital role prior to the psychological autopsy offering immediate information. |
| Investigative Team Supervisor | This person has the same role as the investigative team member. |
| Agency Mid-level Supervisor | This member should leverage their authority to organize meetings and handle other necessary tasks that their position enables them to accomplish directly. |
| Agency Executive | This member enhances the credibility of the team and investigation, while also providing specific insights based on their role and position in the agency. |
| * The roles of the external suicide expert and mental health professional should be determined based on their qualifications rather than their licensure status. | |
The composition of the psychological autopsy team may vary depending on factors such as the size of the agency. However, it is critical that the team includes an external suicide expert (often referred to as a suicidologist). Their independence is essential, as they control the data and findings, which are often sensitive. Unlike internal agency members, an external expert cannot be compelled to disclose information internally or publicly in the same manner an agency member would have to, thus preserving the integrity and confidentiality of the investigation.
“Psychological autopsy interviews not only illuminate the humanity of the officer who died by suicide but also shine a light on the humanity of those still living”
For each suicide incident, a qualified person should be designated as the lead investigator. This individual will complete the initial, preliminary report. After meeting with the team and conducting additional interviews, they will finalize and submit the report.
Regardless of who is leading the investigation, a preliminary meeting should be held within a week of the death by suicide. Follow-up meetings should include at least two additional sessions: one to discuss updated findings and a final meeting to present the compiled data.
Regarding interviews, these should be conducted by qualified and trained personnel, listed in the Table 1. When possible, interviews should be conducted in person; however, remote interviews may be practical in certain cases. Data protection must always be prioritized and adhered to, alongside other ethical considerations. This includes providing resources such as those from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to the interviewee.2 If data collection is intended for research purposes, appropriate institutional review board approval must be obtained.
Narrative Psychology and the Interview Process
Narrative psychology is a broad approach encompassing various research and professional applications whereas storytelling plays a pivotal role in supporting mental health, enhancing resilience, and fostering professional development.3 It incorporates methods like interpretative phenomenological analysis, narrative medicine, and narrative therapy. Narrative psychology seeks to acknowledge, interpret, and act on the stories of others.4
The interviewer’s role in suicide investigations is critical. They must possess advanced scientific knowledge of suicide and also possess the nuanced interpersonal skills required for effective interviewing. Individuals directly impacted by suicide face heightened risks; therefore, while the primary goal of the psychological autopsy is to understand why someone died by suicide, an equally important focus is supporting those who are still alive.
Research has shown that discussing suicide in a harmful manner can increase the risk for vulnerable individuals.5 This risk factor is especially relevant when collecting statistics or data involving people closely affected by a police officer’s suicide. Proper training and qualifications for interviewers are therefore indispensable.
Armed with knowledge of narrative psychology, interviewers can provide structure, guidance, and emotional support during the psychological autopsy process. This approach allows participants to make sense of what happened while the psychological autopsy team interprets their narratives.
In narrative medicine, it is often said that a good physician treats the disease, while a great physician treats the patient with the disease.6 Similarly, professionals conducting psychological autopsy interviews aim not only to prevent future suicides but also to help those affected find hope and healing.7 The interview process offers participants an opportunity to share their experiences in detail, which can be immensely beneficial and invigorating for them. While the interview process is not a type of formal therapy, it can have therapeutic effects by helping interviewees gain a deeper understanding of their experience; find a sense of connection to broader suicide prevention efforts; and discover meaning, purpose, and coherence.
The psychological autopsy process can be compared to assembling a puzzle, where the goal is to gather as many pieces as possible to better understand the factors in the decedent’s life that led to their death by suicide. Like narrative medicine, psychological autopsy interviews must prioritize respect for the humanity and dignity of both the decedent and the participant sharing their story. It is not merely about collecting information but honoring the process and the individuals involved.8
The interviewer’s goal is to develop a relationship with the participants, creating an environment where they feel comfortable enough to share their stories, including details they may not have disclosed to anyone else.9 This requires the interviewer to engage with the “human side” of the investigation. Taking the time to let the narratives unfold naturally, or as John Launer, a leader in narrative medicine, describes it, “let the stories breathe.”10 Through curiosity and patience, interviewers often uncover valuable insights that participants themselves might not initially recognize.11
“While police personnel can believe an effective coping strategy for handling their professional work is not talking to loved ones about daily job stressors and negative encounters, hiding things can be detrimental”
One participant described how the interviewer’s approach created a welcoming and dignified environment: “The [investigator had a] perfect blend of insight, compassion, interest and empathy. Their demeanor allowed me to be vulnerable and open in my responses.”12
A key part of suicide post-vention and prevention efforts is fostering hope. While a psychological autopsy cannot change the past, it can contribute to future prevention and aid healing for those impacted. One interview participant reflected on the importance of hope in their participation, saying “The interview gave me the opportunity to speak… The hope is to learn from this tragedy and save the life or lives of other police officers in crisis.”
Narrative medicine experts John Launer and Anita Wolhmann explain that when narratives are gathered by embracing the humanity of the storyteller, it not only achieves the goal of gathering narratives but also honors the process of how that occurs.13 The interviewer therefore has a great responsibility to ensure their professionalism illuminates hope amid tragedy for those sharing their stories.
Making Meaning from Stories
Individual meaning often emerges from known suicide risk factors and warning signs, mental health conditions, and more. The following insights, shared by experts and psychological autopsy interviewees, are reminders of the humanity behind each case, illustrating that suicide cannot be reduced to mere statistical data points.
Dr. Jacqueline Drew, a prominent police suicide researcher at Griffith University, explains:
Deeply engaging with the narrative, as shared by those closest to the person lost to suicide or the event itself, provides a meaningful perspective. We start to better understand not just the reasons why or how a person died but how they lived, who they were and the relationships they had with those who have been left behind.
For me, narratives allow a connection with the case. It ensures that we hold “front of mind” that those engaging in the psychological autopsy protocol are selfless. Their want and need to share, which oftentimes includes deeply painful memories, is done in the hope that other families and friends can be spared from what they have experienced. Narratives ultimately make an invaluable contribution to saving lives.14
The value of individual stories lies in their contribution to collective understanding and prevention efforts. Dr. Rita Charon, a leader in narrative medicine, further underscores the connection between individual stories and broader suicide prevention work: “There is life in its unity that cannot be seen in its parts, yet one must see the parts in order to see the whole.”15
Hopeless and helpless: Hopelessness and helplessness are commonly experienced by decedents. While the terms are similar, they have distinct differences. Hopelessness involves the feeling that life is unbearable and will never improve—if anything, it will only get worse. Helplessness acknowledges this despair, coupled with the perspective that no one can do anything to alleviate it. When both are present, they can create an overwhelming and intense feeling of despair, where the individual may feel that their only option is suicide.
A family member shared how these feelings were present in their loved one:
They would go down these rabbit holes where they felt like they were always fighting an uphill battle. The bad things would pile on, and they never felt like they could catch a break, never catch a break, never catch a break… They were separating themself [becoming distant] from their life.
Lifestyle coping and recent changes: During suicide investigation interviews, the decedent’s overall lifestyle, their ability to cope with life stressors, and any recent changes are examined. One family member provided insight into this:
I always felt that he had this hole inside of him that he was always trying to fill it… he never found it… I was wondering, what is happening, this is not the man I know and love. When I saw the look on his face, I knew something was wrong.
They further shared how a recent surgery with unexpected negative implications had taken a toll on the decedent:
The surgery was interfering with daily life functioning; they were drinking alcohol again—They were struggling—not exercising. I don’t think they were being honest with me on how much the physical pain was. That was the worst I have ever seen them. They said, I can’t do this anymore, with the surgery.
Depression: Dr. John Mann, Director of the Conte Center for Suicide Prevention at Columbia University Medical Center’s Psychiatry Department, and a world leader in suicide research and psychological autopsies, explains that, while suicide is complex and a variety of mental health conditions might be co-existing, looking for signs and symptoms of depression is critical. He explains:
Major depression is the commonest cause of suicide. Many families are either not aware that the lost loved one suffered from depression or if they knew about it, then they did not realize how severe it was. A psychological autopsy interview carried out by a trained expert can detect a missed major depression by asking about its characteristics, and estimate its severity.16
A family member shared how depression had been present and the adverse impact it was having on their loved one: “He suffered from low-level depression, which we knew about, which we talked about. He was on [a prescription] for an extended period… He had a hard time going to sleep.” During the interview, the family member further shared that the decedent was prescribed medication by their general practitioner and that they had lied about seeing a mental health professional.
It is important to note that while major depressive disorder (MDD) is present in many deaths by suicide, not all individuals with depression attempt or die by suicide. This is not limited to MDD either, as nearly all psychiatric disorders have elevated suicide rates and comorbidity between two or more mental health conditions is very common. Awareness of depression and other mental health condition symptoms not only supports suicide prevention efforts but also aids those living with those various mental health conditions. It is also important to know that when diagnosed, mental health conditions are highly treatable with professional care.
Substance abuse: Alcohol and substance abuse are frequently present when another psychiatric disorder also exists. Alcohol abuse is a well-known issue in policing that continues to be a challenge to address.17 An interviewee shared how alcohol abuse was present with the decedent and taking a toll: “Deep down inside, [the decedent] knew they weren’t going to be able to handle the drinking.”
While police personnel can believe an effective coping strategy for handling their professional work is not talking to loved ones about daily job stressors and negative encounters, hiding things can be detrimental, especially when it comes to mental health. Further exacerbating this is having maladaptive coping strategies such as abusing alcohol. Later in the interview, a family member shared: “They [the decedent] said that ‘addicts are master liars’… We struggled in those last few years, and I didn’t realize at the time it was because they were drinking again. They were very good at hiding it.”
Honoring their loved one: Suicide prevention and postvention efforts include carefully honoring the life of the person who died by suicide while ensuring the narrative does not suggest suicide as an acceptable response to life’s stressors and challenges. Near the conclusion of psychological autopsy interviews, interviewees were asked to share what they would like others to know about the decedent. The following two responses show how powerful this can be:
- “They were an incredible person. They were intelligent, funny, caring. They made me a better person. They were very unselfish. And they struggled. They didn’t let people know the depths of their struggle. They were really loved. They were admired and respected and they still chose to leave, so they must have been really struggling. I’ll also say, from a prevention standpoint, we were a lot better with them here.”
- “How proud he was to be a detective. My [sibling] loved being in policing, he had such pride in helping people.”
Supporting the story sharers: When psychological interviews conclude, it is important to check in with participants to see how they are feeling and ensure they are aware of available support resources, such as those provided by the AFSP.
Dr. Christine Yu Moutier, chief medical officer of AFSP, explains the significance of offering multiple support options: “There are themes for healing, for how that journey progresses… At AFSP, we have this incredible community of suicide loss survivors. Oftentimes, it is helpful for suicide loss survivors to connect with other suicide loss survivors.”18
As part of the follow-up process to the interviews, participants are also asked to complete a short post-interview survey. This is intentionally done for multiple reasons: ensuring participants are doing well and offering further support and resources if needed. The post-interview survey also allows for direct feedback that can inform the continuous evaluation and improvement of the interview process and overall psychological autopsy process.
“I was honored to be part of this… to provide help and hope to others affected by suicide and trauma.”
A participant specifically acknowledged how beneficial they found being checked-in on at the conclusion of the interview: “I like that after the interview stopped, the interviewer took a few minutes to make sure I was OK. I find that people who have not experienced tragedy lack understanding and empathy.”
Conclusion
Suicide is complex; therefore, suicide prevention efforts must also be complex and multifaceted, with the psychological autopsy serving as a leading scientific method to support these prevention efforts. Psychological autopsy interviews not only illuminate the humanity of the officer who died by suicide but also shine a light on the humanity of those still living—family, friends, coworkers, and others.
Stories do not simply recount lives and experiences; they create them. The psychological autopsy reinforces the idea that “stories are science” by using a scientific approach to collecting these narratives. While narrative psychology cannot change the past, it enables the opportunity to learn from it. In the context of suicide, gathering these stories helps prevention specialists to develop effective outreach, training, and programs in the present to prevent suicide. Ultimately, this work aspires to build a future where police personnel thrive—not merely survive—throughout their careers and long into retirement.
Sadie Dingfelder, a writer for the American Psychological Association, captures this sentiment perfectly: “We don’t just tell stories, stories tell us. They shape our thoughts and memories, and even change how we live our lives.”19 It feels fitting to conclude with the words of a family member who described participating in the suicide investigation interview as “inspiring”:
I used “inspiring” because we are working together and making strides toward understanding suicide. It means a lot to me to have the opportunity to share my spouse’s and my story in hopes that it helps others.
Notes:
1Jeff Thompson, “Investigating Police Suicide: How the Psychological Autopsy Can Provide Clarity,” Focus on Officer Wellness, Police Chief 89, no. 6 (2022): 14–16.
2American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has a least one chapter in every U.S. state and provides support in a variety of ways for people impacted by suicide, including support groups. They have also sponsored many of the psychological autopsy trainings the author has conducted. Learn more by visiting www.afsp.org.
3Jeff Thompson, “Narratives and Resilience,” Psychology Today: Beyond Words (blog), December 21, 2023.
4Rita Charon, “Narrative Medicine: A Model for Empathy, Reflection, Profession, and Trust,” JAMA 286, no. 15 (2001): 1897–1902.
5AFSP, “Ethical Reporting Guidelines for Media.”
6Robert M. Centor, “To Be a Great Physician, You Must Understand the Whole Story,” MedGenMed 9, no. 1 (2007): 59.
7Michael Murray and Sally Sargeant, “Narrative Psychology,” in Qualitative Research Methods in Mental Health and Psychotherapy, eds. Michael Harper and Andrew R. Thompson (Wiley-Blackwell, 2011): 163–175.
8Natalie Lanocha, “Lessons in Stories: Why Narrative Medicine Has a Role in Pediatric Palliative Care Training,” Children 8, no. 5 (2021): 321.
9Neil Gibson and Inga Heyman, “Narrative Approaches,” in Social Work – An Introduction, eds. Joyce Lishman, Chris Yuill, and Jill Brannon (SAGE Publications, 2014): 308–319.
10John Launer, “Letting Patients’ Stories Breathe,” BMJ 384 (2024), q83.
11Jeff Thompson and John Launer, “Illuminating Humanity: Narrative Medicine Practices for Crisis Negotiators,” Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology (submitted).
12Psychological autopsy interviews, October 2024
13John Launer and Anita Wohlmann, “Narrative Medicine, Narrative Practice, and the Creation of Meaning,” Lancet 401, no. 10371 (2023): 98–99.
14Dr. Jacqueline Drew, email message to author, January 13, 2025
15Rita Charon, “A Framework for Teaching Close Reading,” in The Principles and Practice of Narrative Medicine, eds. Rita Charon et al. (Oxford University Press, 2016).
16Dr. John Mann, email message to author, January 14, 2025
17Paul B. Rinkoff, “Prevalence, Pattern, and a Leader’s Intervention—The Impact of Alcohol Abuse in Police and Public Safety Organizations,” Journal of Community Safety and Well-Being 8, no. S1 (2023): S46–S49.
18Drew Ramsey, “The Hard Conversation: Addressing Suicide & Preventative Mental Health,” YouTube, 1:21:43, May 28, 2024.
19Sadie F. Dingfelder, “Our Stories, Ourselves,” Monitor on Psychology 42, no. 1 (2011): 42.
Please cite as
Jeff Thompson, “The Science, Honor, and Dignity of Stories: Police Suicide Investigation,” Police Chief Online, May 7, 2025.
