Suicide Methods

A suicide method is any means by which a person completes suicide, purposely ending their life. Suicide methods can be classified according to two modes of interrupting one’s life processes: physical or chemical. Physical modes of interruption typically act by incapacitating the respiratory system or the central nervous system, usually by destruction of one or more key components. Chemical modes focus on interrupting biologically significant processes such as cellular respiration or diffusion capacity. Chemical methods of suicide produce latent evidence of action, whereas physical methods provide direct evidence.