This book examines what we know about the phenomenon of suicide by cop and places this behavior in a broader context. For example, some murder victims (perhaps as many as a quarter) provoke the murderer, to some extent, into killing them-so-called victim-precipitated homicide. In some cases, it has been suspected that murderers kill and act thereafter in such a way as to provoke the state into executing them. The authors then examine some of the issues specific to suicide by cop, such as whether there is a racial bias in these acts and what the legal implications are. Finally, they discuss...

We all have to die. Most would prefer to die in their sleep, quickly and without pain. Many of us will not. In "Fixin' to Die," author David Lester submits that a decision to commit suicide is highly personal and not to be enforced by others, whether psychiatrist, psychologist, law-maker, clergy, friend, or relative. He further contends that the choice of suicide can be both rational and morally sound. This book is a guide for those evaluating suicide as an option, for making the final decision and carrying it out, or resolving to continue living.

This study presents an evaluation of the past, present and future of suicidal behaviour and efforts to prevent or facilitate suicide. Authors from the varying disciplines of psychology, sociology and psychiatry analyze suicide in the opening chapters. Through the exploration of the roles of these disciplines, the roles of primary physicians, and the impact of suicide prevention education in schools, the contributors describe the history of suicidology and the changes necessary for improvement. The book concludes with a section detailing the goals and activities of organizations designed to...

This book explores the role of culture in explaining suicidal behavior. Explanations based on the genes and physiology of individuals, and theories based on psychological variables have difficulty explaining the suicide rate of societies, as well as the occurrence of suicide in individuals. This book illustrates the strong role of culture in determining the suicide rate of societies by looking at the role of the major religion of a society, in particular, Islam, as well as national differences in suicide rates, and the variation of suicide rates within a nation (for example, over the states...