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Suicide
Theory, Practice and Investigation



August 2005 | 192 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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 is unique in that it offers an accessible overview of suicide. 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.

 
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

 

Ronald Holmes and Stephen Holmes offer a unique text aimed primarily at criminal justice undergraduates, though other behavioral science students will find this work a helpful reference text, too. . . . What makes this work distinctive is its forensic science overlay, as the authors offer detailed coverage on suicide notes and methods.

W. Feigelman
Nassau Community College
CHOICE

Suicide rates are on the increase, online courses are availabke to raise wawareness, this book explains in detail how to react, deal and attend to people who are suicidal

Miss Sam Ford
Psychology, Southend Adult Community College
January 29, 2020

A fascinating read, but perhaps not as comprehasnsive as needed for my course

Mr Armin Luthi
Fac of Health & Social Care Sciences, Kingston University
May 29, 2015

Very helpful for students wanting a depth understanding - but not much for application of concepts in counselling and psychotherapy practice.

Dr Sarah Taylor
Counselling & Psychotherapy with Children and Young People , Northern Guild of Psychotherapy
October 25, 2014

This book has been very useful in understanding the thought and behaviour processes behind suicide. A really interesting read. The learners found it very insightful and interesting.

Ms Emma Parker
Access To Health, Birmingham Metropolitan College
October 9, 2013

A very unique text which will enable students studying criminal psychology to explore the complexities of suicide. Presented in a student friendly and comprehensive format.

Ms Jen Phipps
Law and Criminology, University of Aberystwyth
August 31, 2010

Ronald M. Holmes

Ronald M. Holmes is Coroner, in the Jefferson County Coroner's office and Professor Emeritus of Justice Administration at the University of Louisville. He is the author of several books, among them Profiling Violent Crimes, Sex Crimes, and Serial Murder. He is also the author of more than 50 articles appearing in scholarly publications. He is Vice President of the National Center for the Study of Unresolved Homicides and has completed more than 500 psychological profiles for police departments across the United States. He received his doctorate from Indiana University. is Coroner, in the Jefferson County Coroner's office and Professor... More About Author

Stephen T. Holmes

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. More About Author

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