• Journal of forensic and investigative science
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.20-30
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• 2006

An exhibitional suicide is a case of death that the purpose is to demonstrate one's own real intention for others. This exhibitional suicide has a few characteristics that are different from a suicide: seriousness of suicide intention, a method of suicide attempt, and the place of a suicide. In other words, an exhibitional suicide lacks suicide intention, uses a slower method of death, and attempts a suicide at the place which others can easily find. In this light, this paper ascertains that a fair number in poisoning deaths are an exhibitional suicide on the basis of the result of an autopsy by department of forensic medicine school of medicine, Kyungpook National University. The research also confirms that juveniles and women attempt a suicide as often as adults and men, and a great number of suicides are indeed an exhibitional suicide. In terms of a commercial law, many specialists see an exhibitional suicide as an accidental death. However, if we consider an exhibitional suicide as an accidental death, we cannot verify the authenticity of death in an accident. In addition, if we observe the purpose of insurance and suicide exemption period of insurance company, we rather get to know to distinguish an exhibitional suicide from an accident. According to the research, most of the exhibitional suicide results from little or no-relation with others. Therefore, a little interest from family, friend, and neighbor plays a pivotal role in preventing this suicide. Finally, an effort to build database concerning an exhibitional suicide by a psychological autopsy will help people access a plenty of statistical materials and facilitate further study about an exhibitional suicide.