MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS HELP RESOLVE UNEXPLAINED DEATHS THROUGH PSYCHOLOGICAL AUTOPSIES, OR BY INVESTIGATING ANTECEDENTS OF DEATH WHICH COULD REVEAL SUICIDE. THE MENTAL HEALTH WORKER INVESTIGATES THE DECEASED'S CHARACTER, THE AMOUNT OF STRESS IN HIS LIFE, AND HOW HE REACTED TO IT. THE DECEASED'S FRIENDS AND RELATIVES ARE INTERVIEWED, AND ANY ESTRANGEMENTS IN CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN SOURCES OF TENSION ARE NOTED. STRESSFUL SITUATIONS, SUBTLE OR OBVIOUS, ARE SOUGHT AND IDENTIFIED, AS INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY COPING WITH DAILY LIFE ARE MORE LIKELY TO DETERIORATE UNDER CUMULATIVE PRESSURE. THE DECEASED'S INTENT TO COMMIT SUICIDE CAN BE DETERMINED BY THE MEANS OF DEATH, CRIME SCENE EVIDENCE, AND UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR, SUCH AS PRIOR THREATS TO COMMIT SUICIDE, THE SETTLING OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS, OR PREOCCUPATION WITH DEATH. REVIEWS OF MILITARY OR EMPLOYMENT RECORDS ARE ALSO ESPECIALLY VALUABLE. AN EXAMPLE OF A PSYCHOLOGICAL AUTOPSY OF A SUICIDE AND DIRECTIONS FOR INTERVIEWING PERSONS SIGNIFICANT TO THE DECEASED ARE PROVIDED. TABULAR DATA IS INCLUDED.