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Sociological Evidence in Suicide Litigation

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Handbook of Forensic Sociology and Psychology

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Abstract

Sociologists and other researchers can assist defense and plaintiff attorneys and law firms with various aspects of litigation related to suicide and attempted suicide. Sociological research has focused on various aspects of suicidal behavior, including the causes, incidence, and risk factors of suicide and suicidal behaviors, social aspects of the treatment at suicidal patients, suicide prevention training, and suicide prevention policies and procedures. In this chapter, the author analyzes research in the above areas and presents several case composite studies to illustrate how social scientists use the research information when serving as expert witnesses in litigation involving suicide and suicidal behavior.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. California State University, East Bay, CA, USA

    Stephen J. Morewitz Ph.D.

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  1. Stephen J. Morewitz Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Stephen J. Morewitz Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Nursing and Health Sciences, California State University, East Bay, San Francisco, California, USA

    Stephen J. Morewitz

  2. College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Mark L. Goldstein

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Morewitz, S.J. (2014). Sociological Evidence in Suicide Litigation. In: Morewitz, S., Goldstein, M. (eds) Handbook of Forensic Sociology and Psychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7178-3_15

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