FORENSIC INVESTIGATORS SHOULD ALWAYS EXAMINE VICTIMS OF DEATH BY UNKNOWN CAUSES OR APPARENT SUICIDE TO DETERMINE WHETHER HOMICIDE WAS INVOLVED. SUICIDE DEATHS RESULTING FROM PENETRATING WOUNDS HAVE GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: MULTIPLE CUTTING ATTEMPTS ON NECK OR WRISTS, GROUP PATTERNS OF STAB WOUNDS, SUPERFICIAL WOUNDS WITH ONE STAB TRACT, WOUNDS ON ACCESSIBLE PORTIONS OF THE BODY, WOUNDS ON PORTIONS OF THE BODY WHERE CLOTHING HAS BEEN REMOVED TO MAKE PENETRATION EASIER. CHARACTERISTICS SUCH AS VARIOUS STAB TRACTS WITHIN THE BODY, WOUNDS ON INACCESSIBLE PORTIONS OF THE BODY, AND HEAD WOUNDS OFTEN INDICATE HOMICIDE. INVESTIGATORS SHOULD EXAMINE THE BODY AT THE DEATH SCENE, CONTACT ASSOCIATES OF THE VICTIM FOR INFORMATION ON THE PERSON'S BEHAVIOR, AND CONDUCT A COMPLETE AUTOPSY BEFORE LABELING A DEATH HOMICIDAL OR SUICIDAL. (DAG)