Training Courses

Suicide Investigation by IPTM

Date & Time:
  • November 2, 2027 – November 3, 2027
Location:
Jacksonville, FL

Suicide Investigation

Investigating suspected suicides presents unique challenges to law enforcement professionals. Obstacles such as family resistance to accepting the manner of death, scene contamination, insurance considerations, and the social stigma associated with suicide can complicate thorough investigations. This specialized course equips investigators with essential techniques to conduct comprehensive death investigations and identify, recognize, and properly document all relevant suicide indicators. A meticulous investigation may ultimately serve as the critical foundation for a Medical Examiner or Coroner's determination of manner of death.

The course explores the multifaceted reasons individuals may take their own lives, examining psychological, biological, and social factors individually and in combination. Participants will analyze the physical feasibility of suicide in various contexts, study the methods most frequently employed, and learn to establish evidence of intent. Interactive classroom instruction combined with practical case analysis exercises provide participants with hands-on experience applying proper investigative procedures. The course also offers practical guidance for compassionately interacting with bereaved family members.

Course Topics

  • Understanding family denial and resistance to suicide determinations
  • Strategies for engaging with grieving families
  • Assessing physical possibility of self-inflicted death
  • Documenting and developing indicators of victim intent
  • Establishing motive and motivation
  • Common suicide methods and their characteristics
  • Body positioning analysis in firearm-related cases
  • Distinguishing between intentional hanging and autoerotic fatalities
  • Psychological, biological, and sociological perspectives on suicide

Intended Audience

This course is designed for patrol officers, detectives at all experience levels, investigative 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.

Course Details

Length: 16 hours

Instruction Format: Classroom lectures combined with case analysis exercises

Scheduled Sessions:

Session 1: November 2-3, 2026 | Jacksonville, Florida | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Fee: $595.00

Instructor: Russell Strickland

Session 2: November 2-3, 2027 | Jacksonville, Florida | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Fee: $595.00

Instructor: Russell Strickland

Location: Adam W. Herbert University Center, 12000 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224 (IPTM - University of North Florida)