A Content Analysis of Online Suicide Notes: Attempted Suicide Versus Attempt Resulting in Suicide

Synnott, John; Ιωάννου, Μαρία; Coyne, Angela; Hemingway, Siobhan

doi:10.1111/sltb.12398

Cited by 27 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…One way to examine this further would be to look at any of the writings of the offenders to link into their offenders narratives. Emerging research has shown the utility of examining notes and or written contact to build both victim and offender profiles (Ioannou & Debowska, ; Synnott, Coulias, & Ioannou, ; Synnott, Ioannou, Coyne, & Hemingway, ) The finding of the current study that the two groups do not form subgroups of serial killers regarding their spatial behaviour is not consistent with the findings of Salfati and Bateman (), in the sense that they found that sexual acts fell into the category of instrumental behaviours and stealing objects from the victim was found to be an expressive behaviour. However, the role of emotion and planning could not be investigated in this study and further research on the meaning of sexual and acquisitive offending behaviours for serial killers could clarify the role emotions play in the processes that influence location choices.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 93%

Crime location choices: A geographical analysis of German serial killers

Synnott

Bakker²,

Ιωάννου

et al. 2019

Journal Invest Psychology

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The present study examined whether there are different processes operating in the crime location choices between body‐disposing and non‐body‐disposing serial killers and between sexual serial killers and acquisitive serial killers. A sample of 49 series of solved German serial killings is used to examine the differences in travelled distances between these groups of killers. Nonparametric tests revealed that body‐disposing and non‐body‐disposing serial killers and sexual and acquisitive serial killers did not constitute subgroups of serial killers regarding their spatial behaviour. The results suggest that the compared groups are subjected to the same factors that influence their travelled distances. Furthermore, the possible role of planning and anticipated emotions in crime location choices of serial killers is discussed, as well as the limitations of the study and recommendations for future research.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 93%

Crime location choices: A geographical analysis of German serial killers

Synnott

Bakker²,

Ιωάννου

et al. 2019

Journal Invest Psychology

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“…As the presence of a suicide note was identified as a risk indicator, it would be worth exploring the suicide notes further to identify the main themes identified in these notes and to examine differences or similarities with suicide notes left by individuals who complete suicide but don't go missing (see Ioannou & Debowska, 2014;Synnott, Ioannou, Coyne, Hemingway, 2017).…”

Section: Limitations and Directions For Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Suicide and Associated Vulnerability Indicators in Adult Missing Persons: Implications for the Police Risk Assessment

Yong

Tzani

2019

J Police Crim Psych

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Purpose: This research examined the relationship between adult missing persons and suicide, considering a number of possible vulnerability indicators/characteristics of this group of missing persons. Implications for missing person investigations were also explored, particularly for the risk assessment process. Methodology: Data was extracted for ninety-three (N = 93) missing persons cases from one English police force, over a four-year period. These individuals were found dead suspected of suicide. Findings: The findings illustrate a number of vulnerability indicators/characteristics of missing persons who complete suicide. In relation to the initial risk assessment level applied to the missing person report, two vulnerability indicators; a risk of suicide and the presence of a suicide note had an effect on predicting a higher risk assessment level. Limitations: Future research, in order to overcome the present study's limitations, should attempt to collect data from more than one police force in order to increase the sample size. In addition to this, it would be beneficial to use a sample of missing persons who are found safe and well as a Suicide and Associated Vulnerability Indicators in Adult Missing Persons 2 comparative sample to have a better chance in understanding the examined relationship and whether the vulnerability indicators/characteristics are indicative of suicide risk. Practical implications: The findings of this study have practical implications for the risk assessment process and are a step forward in providing empirical evidence applicable to identifying missing persons most at risk of suicide. Social implications: This research has helped to build upon and corroborate existing knowledge of missing persons who complete suicide. Originality: This study provides new empirical evidence on suicide in adult missing persons. The findings demonstrate the subjective and variable nature of the risk assessment process and highlight potential implications on missing person investigations.

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“…Despite the critique for content analysis, it provides a useful basis to examine the commonly occurring themes in suicide notes. Well documented work on thematic analysis has aided the construction of content dictionaries, such as the one produced by Giles () and adapted by others (see Ioannou & Debowska, ; Synnott, Ioannou, Coyne, & Hemingway, ). Giles () postulates that at the core of all suicide notes exists an “apologetic framework” in which a full narrative identity can be elucidated beyond the dominant narrative of saying sorry.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Synnott et al () noted that completed suicides were more inclined to combine negative self‐image with a concern for others. They found, in line with Durkheim (), support for all four suicide types, with the majority fitting with egoistic and anomic suicide, followed by fatalistic, though very few fitted with altruistic suicide.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining the narrative roles in suicide notes

Grayson

Tzani

Pylarinou

et al. 2020

Journal Invest Psychology

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The present study examines suicide notes, using a sample of suicide notes from published corpora (N = 50), combined with a sample of recent suicide notes from a suicide website (N = 50). The present study proposes a model of differentiation in completed suicides. The characteristics of the suicide notes were analysed using a content dictionary developed by Giles in 2007, and the data subjected to smallest space analysis. Four themes of suicide completer were discovered: Egoistic Victim, Anomic Hero, Altruistic Professional and Fatalistic Revenger. The implications of these findings and the potential use in therapy work with suicide survivors and those with suicidal ideation are discussed, as well as suggestions for the direction of future research.

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A Content Analysis of Online Suicide Notes: Attempted Suicide Versus Attempt Resulting in Suicide

Cited by 27 publications

References 19 publications

Crime location choices: A geographical analysis of German serial killers

Crime location choices: A geographical analysis of German serial killers

Suicide and Associated Vulnerability Indicators in Adult Missing Persons: Implications for the Police Risk Assessment

Examining the narrative roles in suicide notes

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