“Official Documentation” of the Black Suicide Experience

This paper explores methodological limitations confronted by researchers who test theoretical statements using suicide data generated by public officials. A discussion of official reporting procedures observed in one medical examiner's office suggests that investigative standards for assessing equivocal death among blacks may be minimal in comparison to the more uniform evaluations and documentation of questionable death for whites. Data pertaining to socioeconomic characteristics, religious preference, and the influence of interpersonal and intrapersonal factors thought to impact upon the black victim's decision to engage in life-destructive behavior are reported and discussed. The findings suggest that the social worth criterion of the victim may influence the recording of suicide data. Suggestions are offered for increasing the reliability of official suicide data.