7 FAM 230
deaths of non-natural causes - homicide, suicide,
accidental death
(CT:CON-804; 04-30-2018)
(Office of Origin: CA/OCS)
7 FAM 231 Summary
(CT:CON-153; 01-11-2007)
a. This subchapter discusses deaths from non-natural
causes, in particular homicide, suicide and accidental death. 7 FAM 220
provides guidance about the difficult consular responsibility of notifying
families of the deaths of loved ones abroad. Consular officers should also
review 7 FAM 200 Appendix B for guidance about grief and bereavement and 7 FAM
1800 Appendix A for guidance about managing stress and consular crisis work.
b. Any unexpected death is tragic, but when the death
is the result of non-natural causes the wound to families is exponentially
greater.
c. If the death is the result of homicide, suicide or
accidental death, the host country is responsible for the investigation of the
death. There may also be a role for U.S. law enforcement, particularly in
deaths involving acts of terrorism or transportation safety. (See 7 FAM
1800). Consular sections will coordinate with the Regional Security Officer
(RSO), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Legal Attach, and other U.S.
law enforcement representatives. CA/OCS Crime Victim Assistance Specialists
will coordinate with the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime
and the FBI. (See 7 FAM 1900).
d. Section 204(c) of Public Law 107-228, the Foreign
Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 (22 U.S.C. 2729), mandates
that, to the maximum extent practicable, the Department of State collect and
make available on the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site
certain information with respect to each U. S. citizen who dies in a foreign
country from a non-natural cause. The information required is:
(1) The date of death;
(2) The locality where the death occurred; and
(3) The cause of death, including, if the death
resulted from an act of terrorism, a statement disclosing that fact. The
information on the web site must be listed on a country-by-country basis, and
must cover deaths occurring since the date of enactment of the legislation on
September 30, 2002, or occurring during the preceding three calendar years, whichever
period is shorter. The information is updated every six months.
e. The post should keep the Department informed of all
significant developments in the police investigation and judicial actions
involving the murder or suspected murder. In addition, keep the next of kin
(NOK) informed of developments as much as possible. If the consular officer
believes certain information should not be divulged to the NOK because it would
compromise a sensitive source, the post should seek Department guidance.
f. Relay requests from local law enforcement
authorities for assistance from U.S. law enforcement authorities through
appropriate legal attach channels, if available at post, or through the
Department (CA/OCS). If the post has reason to believe that local authorities
are not pursuing the investigation as vigorously as possible and/or are
covering up evidence, seek guidance from the Department.
g. If the post believes it must take a more active role
in the case, such as suggesting leads for the police to follow, request
Department guidance before taking such action.
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See: The Deaths by Non Natural Causes report on the CA
Internet page
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7 FAM 232 LESSONS LEARNED REGARDING
HOMICIDE CASES
(CT:CON-153; 01-11-2007)
a. The murder of a U.S. citizen abroad may come within
the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). 7 FAM 1820
provides guidance regarding the role of the FBI in the event of the death of a
hostage or kidnap victim and special provisions regarding disposition of
remains. The consular section would work closely with the RSO and FBI Legal
Attach in such cases.
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See: FBI Information for Families About Autopsies
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b. CA/OCS Crime Victim Assistance Program Materials:
In addition to 7 FAM 1900, the CA/OCS Crime Victim Assistance Resource Notebook
include the following materials about homicide:
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Guidelines for Victim Assistance in Homicide Cases
Homicide Background
Homicide Case Referrals
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c. Support Organizations for Families: You should be
aware of support organizations for families in Homicide Cases:
(1) U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of
Crime, Homicide Survivors and Co-Victims;
(2) Compassionate Friends;
(3) Parents of Murdered Children;
(4) AARP Grief and Loss (American Association of
Retired Persons); and
(5) AARP Ways Parents Can Cope.
7 FAM 233 LESSONS LEARNED REGARDING
SUICIDE CASES
(CT:CON-341; 08-27-2010)
a. Death notification in an apparent suicide case is
extremely difficult.
b. In notifying a family of the death of a loved one in
circumstances which suggest it may have been a suicide, you should describe the
circumstances of the death, rather than using the word suicide. A finding of
suicide is usually made by a medical or legal authority in the foreign country.
c. Shock and denial are common emotions experienced by
friends and family of a suicide victim. Often this manifests into insisting
that the death was an accident, despite all evidence to the contrary.
d. Family and friends may become angry, feeling that
someone should have seen warning signs and prevented the suicide. They may be
angry with their loved one for killing himself or herself and causing such
sorrow. If the loved ones emotional turmoil had made him or her difficult to
handle, family and friends may be struggling with guilt over the relief of not
having to deal with that stress any more. All of these are normal reactions,
especially for parents and spouses.
e. It is not unusual for family members to question the
conclusions of local law enforcement and medical examiners and to take out
their grief, frustration and anger on the consular officer. Do not take such
reactions personally. You will need all your compassion, communication skills
and listening skills to help these families. See the suicide feature on the OCS
Intranet where you will find additional reading material on this subject.(See 7 FAM 348,
Attempted Or Threatened Suicide, and 7 FAM 1800 Appendix A, Managing Stress and
the Consular Crisis Worker).
f If posts notice trends in suicide of particular
categories of citizens, such as students, the elderly, etc. in the consular
district, bring these to the attention of CA/OCS, the regional medical officer,
etc. to discuss outreach strategies.
g. Suicide Survivors Support Organizations: You should
be aware that there are a variety of private organizations offering support to
surviving family members of suicide victims. Do not offer such referrals in
your initial conversations with NOK. Over time, should families ask if there
is such a support mechanism, provide the information. If the NOK is in the
host country and expresses a desire for spiritual support, you may direct them
to local religious organizations. 7 FAM 270
provides guidance on the disposition of remains report which includes a
suggestion for links to such local resources. If the NOK is in the host
country and there are local support organizations for family members of suicide
victims, you may also wish to make that information available to the family at
an appropriate time, if the family asks you for further support.
Note: It is important not to presume to impose such
referrals on families and to respect their privacy and grieving process.
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Suicide Resources:
Survivors of Suicide Materials
Survivors of Suicide (SOS)
Compassionate Friends
Surviving Your Childs Suicide
What Causes Someone to Commit Suicide and What You Can
Do About It
National Funeral Directors Association Coming to Terms
With Suicide
Reference Material
CDC Suicide Fact Sheet
Suicide and Mental Health Association International
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Publications
NIMH Suicide Prevention
NIMH In Harms Way Suicide in America
NIMH Research on Suicide Survivors
Suicide Prevention
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
National Suicide Prevention Initiative
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention International
Strategies
Canadian Centre for Suicide Prevention
International Association for Suicide Prevention
Suicide Vulnerable Age Groups
National Mental Health Association Teen Suicide
NIMH Older Adults: Depression and Suicide
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7 FAM 234 LESSONS LEARNED REGARDING
ACCIDENTAL DEATHS
(CT:CON-341; 08-27-2010)
a. Posts are familiar with the Consular Affairs Road
Safety Information Program. Every Country Specific Information includes this
material. In addition, CA has a section of travel.state.gov devoted to road
safety. Families of victims of road accidents abroad have been very helpful in
suggesting improvements to our road safety program and have established
foundations to try to achieve something positive from the tragic death of loved
ones in such accidents.
b. The Country Specific Information also include
information about other safety concerns including crime and safety standards as
appropriate.
c. Deaths from other accidental causes have also
resulted in changes to Country Specific Information. See, for example, the
Country Specific Information for Mexico, which includes falls from balconies,
drowning deaths in hotel pools, and other tragic incidents.
d. The Deaths by Non Natural Causes report on the CA
Internet page includes incidents of accidental death.
e. CA also issues periodic announcements primarily
focusing on student travel abroad and women traveling alone which emphasize
safety concerns.
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See:
Media Note International Travel Safety Information for Students
International Travel Safety Information for Students
Travel Tips for Students
Tips for Women Traveling Alone
Travel Tips for Older Americans
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f. Other Reference Sources:
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See:
Journal of Travel Medicine, Death and Dying Abroad the
Canadian Experience
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g. Private Organizations and resources about accidental
death.
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See:
ASIRT Association for Safe International Road Travel
MADD - Mothers Against Drunk Driving
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7 FAM 235 LESSONS LEARNED ABOUT WORKING
WITH SURVIVING MINOR CHILDREN
(CT:CON-153; 01-11-2007)
a. We have some experience with death cases in which
minor children are left alone in a foreign country following the unexpected
death of a parent or parents. 7 FAM 1760 and
1770 provide general guidance regarding working with unaccompanied minors. 7
FAM 300 provides guidance regarding repatriation.
b. You should also review the following reference
materials:
(1) U.S. Department of State, Office of Medical
Services, Stress and Disaster Response;
(2) DOS Human Resources Childrens Reaction to Trauma;
(3) U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of
Juvenile Justice and Deliquency Programs (OJJDP) and, Working with Grieving
Children After Violent Death;
(4) Royal College of Psychiatrists:
(a) Traumatic Stress in Children; and
(b) Death in the Family Helping Children to Cope
(5) National Child Traumatic Stress Network; and
(6) National Association of School Psychiatrists
Helping Children Cope with Loss, Death and Grief.
7 FAM 236 through 239 Unassigned