ASSOCIATE Magazine FBINAA Q2-2026

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of being killed by officers, an action commonly known as “sui cide by cop”. Approximately 25% of subject shootings by officers or special weapons and tactics (SWAT) units were found to be cases of “suicide by cop” (Klinger and Rojek, 2008). Lethal force is most common when subjects threaten or inflict harm on others, whereas suicidal statements, such as asking to be shot, are more likely to involve less lethal force or no force at all (Jordan et al., 2019). Scenarios in which LEOs are injured or killed in the line of duty are more likely to occur during situations described by of ficers as ambiguous or surprising (Parent and Parent, 2021). Law enforcement functions are complicated by the notion that, in any given encounter, officers may not be able to differentiate be tween a subject seeking death as an escape versus an individual intending lethal violence against others. Behaviors of suicidal subjects may differ between types of crimes or violent offenses. Most research on subject suicide and “suicide by cop” scenarios focus on perpetrators of violent crimes against children (VCAC). Subjects investigated for VCAC have a high risk for suicide, specifically those charged with hands-on and child sexual abuse material related offenses (Key et al., 2021; Hoffer and Shelton, 2013). Subjects who commit sexual assault and/or homicide against adults present similar behaviors of concern, but little research exists in comparison. The FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) is currently con ducting research on subject suicides. Anecdotally, investigators at the BAU have noticed an increase in the number of suicides of offenders being linked to sexually motivated cold cases via the testing of sexual assault kit (SAK) backlogs. In these cases, a sub ject is made aware of potential or pending charges against them and dies by suicide before the individual can be brought to trial and convicted. The goal of the project is to help law enforcement understand why subjects may decide to die by suicide, potential risk and protective factors for subject suicide, and best practices for protecting LEOs who engage with such individuals. In support of this research, the BAU is currently seeking cases of subjects who die by suicide after being identified as suspects in sexual assault or homicides cases, or when facing imminent arrest, conviction, or sentencing for these offenses. The BAU is particularly interested in cases with adult victims of sexual assault and/or homicide. The BAU is requesting the following case materials: • Investigative reports from law enforcement related to any adult sexual assault and/or homicide victim linked to the subject. • Recordings or transcripts of interviews with the subject, victim, victim’s family, and witnesses pertaining to sexual assaults and/or homicides linked to the subject • Laboratory reports of submitted evidence pertaining to sexual assault and/or homicide linked to subject. • Investigative reports from law enforcement related to suicide of subject. • Autopsy of victim(s) and subject. • Charging and disposition documents (if applicable). • Psychological evaluations of subject (if available/appli cable). Photographs or media are not required. The BAU is not including cases involving CSAM/online sexual exploitation at this time.

If you have a case you would like to submit or would like additional information regarding research at the BAU, please contact Behavioral Research Scientist Michelle Huffma n ( mchuffman2@fbi.gov) or Major Case Specialist Kevin Hagan ( kmhagan@fbi.gov ). References Hoffer, T.A., Shelton, J.L.E. (2013). V. Discussion. In: Suicide Among Child Sex Offenders. SpringerBriefs in Psychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5937-8_5 Jordan, A., Panza, N. R., & Dempsey, C. (2020). Suicide by cop: A new perspective on an old phenomenon. Police Quarterly, 23(1), 82-105. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098611119873332 Key, R., Underwood, A., Farnham, F., Marzano, L., & Hawton, K. (2021). Suicidal behavior in individuals accused or convicted of child sex abuse or indecent image offenses: Systematic review of prevalence and risk factors. Suicide & life-threatening behavior, 51(4), 715–728. https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12749 Klinger, D. A., & Rojek, J. (2008). Multi-method study of special weapons and tactics teams. National Institute of Justice, 223855. https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/223855.pdf Mohandie, K., Meloy, J. R., & Collins, P. I. (2009). Suicide by cop among officer- involved shooting cases. Journal of forensic sciences, 54(2), 456–462. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00981.x Parent, R., Parent, C. (2021). Sentinel Event Reviews in the United States and Canada: Enhancing Service Delivery to the Community. In: Albrecht, J.F., den Heyer, G.(eds). Enhancing Police Service Delivery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61452-2_9

About the Author: Kathleen Allen , M.A. is a Research Fellow with the Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education (ORISE) who works at the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit. She earned a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from The Pennsylvania State University, and holds certificates in Applied Behavior Analysis and Investigative Psychology. Her primary responsibilities are to research violent crimes against children and adults, and support ongoing operational needs using academic literature. Prior to her current position, she provided family-based therapy, worked in public health research, and partnered with local law enforcement in a real-time tactical operations center.

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