ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case study of a 911 call on May 15, 2006, reported the discovery of 56-year-old Bob McClancy, found dead in the recliner in his home. Unusual suicide methods are included, to assist investigators in broadening their awareness of mental states and mental illness. The suicide prevention centre (SPC) staff undertook a psychological autopsy of the death by gunshot of author Herman Melville's 18-year-old son, Malcolm. At the time of the incident, some people thought that Malcolm had killed himself, but others called it an accident. SPC expected that psychological autopsy would be useful in other historical cases. Building on Shneidman's tool, Bruce Ebert, a clinical psychologist and a captain and chief of psychological services in the Air Force, developed an extensive guide for psychological autopsies. He also considered legal ramifications. He suggested making a chart that lists items under the NASH categories.
