Psychological Autopsy: Uses and Applications

Summary

Dr. Jeff Kalshewski introduces the concept of psychological autopsy, a forensic technique used to understand a person's mental state before death. Originally used in suicide prevention, it now plays a role in medical malpractice, civil lawsuits, and criminal investigations. Dr. Kalshewski shares personal experiences, including working on a medical malpractice case and an investigation into a 1957 plane crash. Forensic psychologists rely on collateral data, such as medical records and witness interviews, to reconstruct the mental state of the deceased. Dr. Kalshewski also encourages viewers to subscribe for more insights on forensic psychology and true crime.

Takeaways

• 😀 Psychological autopsy is a process used by forensic psychologists to understand a deceased person's mental state before and leading up to their death.
• 😀 It helps explain the behaviors of an individual prior to death, including the intent behind their actions, such as in cases of suicide or criminal behavior.
• 😀 The history of psychological autopsy dates back to the 1950s and was initially focused on suicidality and suicide prevention.
• 😀 Psychological autopsy is used today in various areas, including determining if someone intended to end their life or understanding actions in criminal cases like mass shootings.
• 😀 In medical malpractice and civil lawsuits, psychological autopsy can help determine the mental state of the deceased and the impact of their suffering or neglect on their death.
• 😀 Forensic psychologists conducting psychological autopsies rely on collateral information such as medical records, police reports, witness interviews, and personal artifacts like photos or phone messages.
• 😀 Dr. Kalshewski was involved in a case related to medical malpractice where he helped explain the deceased's state of mind and their possible loss of will to live.
• 😀 The psychological autopsy method involves gathering detailed biopsychosocial history and examining potential motivations behind actions, even in cases with limited direct evidence.
• 😀 In high-profile cases like the 1957 Pan Am Flight 7 crash, psychological autopsies can be used to explore suspects' mental states and motivations, even decades after the event.
• 😀 Psychological autopsies are challenging because the person being examined is deceased, requiring the use of indirect data to build a psychological profile.
• 😀 Dr. Kalshewski also encourages viewers to explore the world of forensic psychology further, mentioning his social media presence and Ken Fortenberry's book on the Pan Am Flight 7 case.

Q & A

What is psychological autopsy?

Psychological autopsy is a systematic process used by forensic psychologists to understand a person's mental state leading up to their death. It aims to explain the behaviors of the individual before their death and can often be used to determine whether someone intended to end their own life.

When did the research on psychological autopsy begin?

The research on psychological autopsy began in the late 1950s, particularly focusing on suicidality and the prevention of suicide.

What are some of the main uses of psychological autopsy?

Psychological autopsy is used to determine if someone intentionally ended their own life, often in cases involving accidental deaths, overdoses, or car accidents. It is also used in medical malpractice claims, civil lawsuits alleging institutional neglect, and criminal cases such as mass shootings.

How does psychological autopsy differ from an insanity evaluation?

In an insanity evaluation, a forensic psychologist can directly interview the individual being evaluated to understand their mental state. In contrast, psychological autopsy involves examining the mental state of a deceased person, relying on collateral information like medical records, police reports, and interviews with people who knew the individual.

What kind of collateral data is typically used in a psychological autopsy?

Collateral data includes medical records, police reports, witness interviews, photos, and other materials that may help reconstruct the deceased's state of mind before their death. For example, family member interviews or even old phone messages may be used.

Can you give an example of a high-profile case where psychological autopsy was used?

One notable case involved an investigative journalist named Ken Fortenberry, who hired a forensic psychologist for a psychological autopsy in the case of a plane crash from 1957, Pan Am Flight 7. The crash was believed to be sabotage, and the forensic psychologist helped analyze the mental states of two potential suspects based on decades of research.

What is the concept of 'will to live' in the context of psychological autopsy?

The 'will to live' refers to an individual's mental and emotional drive to continue living, even in the face of severe illness or injury. In psychological autopsy, understanding whether a person lost their will to live is important, as it can help explain their mental state and potential contributions to their death.

What role do forensic psychologists play in medical malpractice lawsuits?

In medical malpractice lawsuits, forensic psychologists may be hired to conduct psychological autopsies to help understand the decedent's mental state leading up to their death. This can assist the jury in understanding factors like pain, suffering, and loss of will to live, especially in cases involving neglect.

What challenges are faced in conducting a psychological autopsy?

One of the main challenges is the inability to directly interview the deceased. Forensic psychologists must rely on indirect sources like records, witness testimony, and other evidence to piece together the person's state of mind before their death.

What is the significance of Ken Fortenberry’s book, and how does it relate to forensic psychology?

Ken Fortenberry’s book, *Flight 7 is Missing*, investigates the 1957 Pan Am flight crash, and the forensic psychologist contributed to the research by conducting psychological autopsies of two suspects involved in the case. The book highlights the use of psychological autopsy in understanding the mental states of those involved in a historical criminal case.