In almost every case of an alleged suicide, the main investigator that is appointed by the institution will gather evidence at the scene, take photos, and start to lay out what they think happened, he said. The vast majority of the time, that investigator witnesses the autopsy, where they will share information, and their point of view on the case.
Sometimes, he said, it can affect the outcome [of the medical examiners cause of death report].
The federal data suggests that statistically, Blands case had a relatively high probability to end in suicide. Suicide is the most common cause of an unnatural death for incarcerated women, the data shows. Other factors matching the case, like the fact that it was her first offense, that she had yet to go to trial, and that her death occurred within the first week of incarceration, are also leading contributing factors of inmate suicides, according to the data.
