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Naked Suicide

Dr. Simon is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, and Director, Program in Psychiatry and Law, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Address correspondence to: Robert I. Simon, MD, 8008 Horseshoe Lane, Potomac, MD 20854-3831. E-mail: risimonmd{at}aol.com

Suicide attempts and completions by individuals while naked remain unexplored, both by clinicians and in the professional literature. Nakedness at the time of the incident conveys important information about an individual's mental state. Motivations for attempting or completing suicide while naked are discussed. Nakedness during a suicide attempt is presumptive evidence of high risk for suicide completion. Deliberate self-harm, without intent to die, is not usually inflicted while naked. The clinical and forensic implications of naked suicide are explored. In completed suicides, the state of dress, including partial undress and nakedness may provide important clues in a psychological autopsy. Forensic psychiatrists and treating clinicians who encounter naked suicides are afforded a unique opportunity to advance our knowledge. Letters to the editor and case reports would stimulate discourse about this little understood phenomenon.