Suicide by Cop Defined and Classified

Definition and Classification Criteria

As defined by the author, suicide-by-cop is a colloquial term corroborated by a medicolegal finding whereby a suicidal subject knowingly and purposely confronts a police officer to the degree that it compels that police officer to respond with deadly force.  For this type of suicide to be conclusively determined, the author has specified that all four points of the classification criterion at right must be met.  In other words, all criteria must be met before classifying this death as a suicide by cop.

1. The suicidal subject must express the intent to die by means of a written, verbal, or other explicit means of behavior.
2. The suicidal subject must possess a clear understanding of the finality of the act.
3. The suicidal subject must confront a law enforcement official to the degree that it compels that officer to respond with deadly force. 
4. The suicidal subject dies as a result of these actions.