Suicide Investigation

Investigating apparent suicides presents unique challenges for law enforcement professionals, including family resistance, contaminated scenes, insurance complications, and the sensitive nature of self-inflicted deaths. This specialized course equips investigators with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills to conduct thorough investigations, properly document all relevant evidence, and identify critical indicators that support suicide determinations. Your meticulous investigation may serve as the foundation for a Medical Examiner or Coroner to officially establish suicide as the manner of death.

Course Content

The training explores the multifaceted factors—psychological, biological, and social—that contribute to suicide. Participants examine whether the deceased could have physically accomplished self-infliction, study prevalent suicide methods, and learn to develop and recognize indicators of intent.

Instruction combines classroom lectures with practical case analysis exercises that demonstrate proper investigative procedures for suspected suicides. The course also provides guidance on appropriate family interaction strategies during these sensitive investigations.

Topics Covered

• Understanding family denial responses to suicide
• Effective communication with the decedent's family
• Assessing the physical feasibility of suicide
• Documenting intent indicators and behavioral evidence
• Identifying and establishing motive
• Common suicide methods and their characteristics
• Body positioning analysis in firearm-related deaths
• Distinguishing intentional hanging from autoerotic fatalities
• Psychological, biological, and sociological perspectives on suicide

Course Details

Duration: 16 hours

Audience: This course is designed for patrol officers, detectives at all experience levels, investigation supervisors, crime scene technicians, medical examiner and coroner investigators, and military investigative personnel. Enrollment is restricted to active sworn and non-sworn law enforcement and medical examiner personnel.

Scheduled Sessions

Session 1: November 2-3, 2026

Jacksonville, Florida
Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Fee: $595.00
Location: IPTM - University of North Florida, Adam W. Herbert University Center, 12000 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224
Instructor: Russell Strickland

Session 2: November 2-3, 2027

Jacksonville, Florida
Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Fee: $595.00
Location: IPTM - University of North Florida, Adam W. Herbert University Center, 12000 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224
Instructor: Russell Strickland

Student Feedback

Participants consistently praise the course for its comprehensive coverage of suicide investigation and its engaging instructional approach. Students highlight the value of case study materials, the instructor's subject matter expertise, and the effective balance between lecture content and practical analysis exercises.