Application of Equivocal Death Psychological Autopsy for Investigation: A Case Study

Abstract

Forensic Psychology is that branch of applied psychology which is concerned with the collection, examination and presentation of evidence for judicial purposes. Forensic Psychological Evaluation has contributed significantly as an aid to investigation in many sensitive cases. There are various subfields of Forensic Psychology and one such technique is that of Psychological Autopsy. Psychological Autopsy is an extremely important tool in ascertain the mental status of any individual before his or her death. This tool throws light on various facts which may have been missed during investigation. Equivocal death Psychological Autopsy is useful in aiding investigation process especially in controversial death. The technique of Equivocal death Psychological Autopsy is relatively new in India and this particular technique was applied during investigation process for a case referred where there was a controversy in terms of investigating agency claiming it to be a case of suicide while the family of deceased claimed it to be case of homicide.