Gordon Tait
Biographic Data
| ID | 337310 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Gordon Tait |
| GIVEN NAMES | Gordon |
| FAMILY NAME | Tait |
| SIGNATURE | TAIT G |
| AFFILIATIONS | Queensland University of Technology |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-2183-4429 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 21 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 32 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 21 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1995 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2024 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Coronial determination of suicide
The purpose of this article is to extend previous discussion of the relationship between coronial verdicts of suicide and suicide statistics, through a detailed examination of coronial decision-making during 130 inquests in Queensland, Australia between 2004 and 2018. This research suggests that the official category of suicide does not have the same meaning for different coroners, and it is unlikely that coroners follow the same rules in assigni…
Responsibilisation and acceptable verbal behaviour in schools
Coronial Inquests, Indigenous Suicide and the Colonial Narrative
Coronial decision-making and the management, classification and conceptualisation of the finding of ‘suicide’
This paper addresses some of the results from a large-scale-funded research project into the coronial conceptualisation and adjudgement of suicide, founded upon an ongoing dissatisfaction with the validity of suicide data. The research is based upon in-depth interviews with 32 coroners from all but one Australian jurisdiction and focuses upon the administrative, epistemological and ontological categorisation of suicide as a type of death. The cor…
Determining a Suicide under Australian Law
This article examines the approach taken by Australian coroners to interpreting the law relating to suicide, and to applying it in practice. A previous review of the laws and commentary guiding coroners in Australian states and territories revealed not only that coroners are the only persons tasked with making routine legal determinations of suicide, but that such legal guidance lacks clarity. This study involved semi-structured interviews with A…
Coronial Practice, Indigeneity and Suicide
All available data suggest that, like many other Indigenous peoples, Australian Aborigines are significantly more likely to kill themselves than are non-Aboriginal Australians. This statistical disparity is normally positioned an objective, ontological and undeniable social fact, a fact best explained as a function of endemic community disadvantage and disenfranchisement. This research explores the possibility that higher-than-normal Aboriginal s…
Determining a Suicide under Australian Law
This article examines the role of coroners in making legal determinations of suicide in Australia. Research indicates that the requirement to make findings of intent and capacity in unexpected, violent deaths can be difficult for coroners and recent government inquiries have suggested that the law contributes to the problem. A review of laws and commentary that guide coroners in Australian states and territories reveals not only that coroners are…
The continuing implications of the ‘crime’ of suicide
The long history of suicide as a criminal offence still has a significant contemporary effect on how it is perceived, conceptualised and adjudged. This is particularly the case within countries where suicide is largely determined within a coronial system, such as Australia, the UK and the US. This paper details the outcomes of a study involving semi-structured interviews with coroners both in England and Australia, as well as observations at inqu…
Problems with the coronial determination of ‘suicide’
After over 100 years of constant dissatisfaction with the accuracy of suicide data, this \npaper suggests that the problem may actually lie with the category of suicide itself. In almost all previous \nresearch, ‘suicide’ is taken to be a self-evidently valid category of death, not an object of study \nin its own right. Instead, the focus in this paper is upon the presupposition that how a social fact \nlike suicide is counted depends upon norms …
Investigating death
The over-representation of vulnerable populations within the criminal justice system, and the role of police in perpetuating this, has long been a topic of discussion in criminology. What is less discussed is the way in which non-criminal investigations by police, in areas like a death investigation, may similarly disadvantage and discriminate against vulnerable populations. In Australia, as elsewhere, it is police who are responsible for investi…
Scrutinising the Other
In common law countries like England, Australia, the USA and Canada, certain deaths come to be investigated through the coronial system. These include sudden, unnatural or suspicious deaths as well as those which appear to be the result of naturally occurring disease but the precise cause is unknown. When a reportable death occurs in Australia, a number of professional groups become involved in its investigation – police, coroners, pathologists a…
Suicide, statistics and the coroner
Australia has a significantly higher suicide rate than England. Rather than accepting that this 'statistical fact' is a direct reflection of some positivist truth, this article begins with the premise that how suicide is counted depends upon what counts as suicide. This study involves semi-structured interviews with coroners both in Australia and England, as well as observations at inquests. Important differences between the two coronial systems …
The Body in Grief
Sudden, violent and otherwise unexplained deaths are investigated in most western jurisdictions through a Coronial or medico-legal process. A crucial element of such an investigation is the legislative requirement to remove the body for autopsy and other medical interventions, processes which can disrupt traditional religious and cultural grieving practices. While recent legislative changes in an increasing number of jurisdictions allow families …
Communicating with the Coroner
Based on coronial data gathered in the state of Queensland in 2004, this article reviews how a change in legislation may have impacted autopsy decision making by coroners. More specifically, the authors evaluated whether the requirement that coronial autopsy orders specify the level of invasiveness of an autopsy to be performed by a pathologist was affected by the further requirement that coroners take into consideration a known religion, culture…
The Autopsy Imperative
Firearm suicide in Queensland
The purpose of this article is to examine firearm suicide in Queensland. In 2006, statistical data were gathered from all closed paper coronial files for the 12-month period of December 2003-December 2004. Of the 567 people who committed suicide in Queensland during this period, 48 (8.5%) used firearms. The following results emerge from this data: first, gun suicides are continuing to decrease in Queensland, most likely as a function of ongoing g…
The Logic of ADHD
The ADHD debate and the philosophy of truth
There is ongoing and wide-ranging dispute over the proliferation of childhood behaviour disorders. In particular, the veracity of the category Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), has been the subject of considerable scepticism. With no end to the debate in sight, it will be argued here that the problem might effectively be approached, not by addressing the specific features of ADHD itself, but rather by a philosophical analysis of on…
Free will, moral responsibility and ADHD
One of the oldest problems in philosophy concerns the relationship between free will and moral responsibility. If we adopt the position that we lack free will, in the absolute sense-as have most philosophers who have addressed this issue-how can we truly be held accountable for what we do? This paper will contend that the most significant and interesting challenge to the long-standing status-quo on the matter comes not from philosophy, jurisprude…
Fasting and the female body
This paper will examine the literature on 'anorexia nervosa', and argue that it is underpinned by three fundamental assumptions.First, 'anorexia nervosa' is a reflection of the mismatch between true 'inner self' and the external 'false self', the latter self being the distorted product of a male dominated society.Second, the explanation for the severe fasting practices constitutive of 'anorexia nervosa' (a new social problem) is to be found withi…
Shaping the 'At-Risk Youth
The category of the `at-risk youth' currently underpins a good deal of youth policy, and in particular, education policy. Primarily, the category is centred around a range of programmes associated with the need for state intervention, intervention which largely occurs `at a distance' within domains such as the school and the family. While it is argued that in some ways, the `at-risk youth' simply replaces older characterisations used in the polic…
Communicating with the Coroner
Based on coronial data gathered in the state of Queensland in 2004, this article reviews how a change in legislation may have impacted autopsy decision making by coroners. More specifically, the authors evaluated whether the requirement that coronial autopsy orders specify the level of invasiveness of an autopsy to be performed by a pathologist was affected by the further requirement that coroners take into consideration a known religion, culture…
Shaping the 'At-Risk Youth
The category of the `at-risk youth' currently underpins a good deal of youth policy, and in particular, education policy. Primarily, the category is centred around a range of programmes associated with the need for state intervention, intervention which largely occurs `at a distance' within domains such as the school and the family. While it is argued that in some ways, the `at-risk youth' simply replaces older characterisations used in the polic…
The ADHD debate and the philosophy of truth
There is ongoing and wide-ranging dispute over the proliferation of childhood behaviour disorders. In particular, the veracity of the category Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), has been the subject of considerable scepticism. With no end to the debate in sight, it will be argued here that the problem might effectively be approached, not by addressing the specific features of ADHD itself, but rather by a philosophical analysis of on…
Investigating death
The over-representation of vulnerable populations within the criminal justice system, and the role of police in perpetuating this, has long been a topic of discussion in criminology. What is less discussed is the way in which non-criminal investigations by police, in areas like a death investigation, may similarly disadvantage and discriminate against vulnerable populations. In Australia, as elsewhere, it is police who are responsible for investi…
Scrutinising the Other
In common law countries like England, Australia, the USA and Canada, certain deaths come to be investigated through the coronial system. These include sudden, unnatural or suspicious deaths as well as those which appear to be the result of naturally occurring disease but the precise cause is unknown. When a reportable death occurs in Australia, a number of professional groups become involved in its investigation – police, coroners, pathologists a…
Free will, moral responsibility and ADHD
One of the oldest problems in philosophy concerns the relationship between free will and moral responsibility. If we adopt the position that we lack free will, in the absolute sense-as have most philosophers who have addressed this issue-how can we truly be held accountable for what we do? This paper will contend that the most significant and interesting challenge to the long-standing status-quo on the matter comes not from philosophy, jurisprude…
Firearm suicide in Queensland
The purpose of this article is to examine firearm suicide in Queensland. In 2006, statistical data were gathered from all closed paper coronial files for the 12-month period of December 2003-December 2004. Of the 567 people who committed suicide in Queensland during this period, 48 (8.5%) used firearms. The following results emerge from this data: first, gun suicides are continuing to decrease in Queensland, most likely as a function of ongoing g…
Coronial Inquests, Indigenous Suicide and the Colonial Narrative
Determining a Suicide under Australian Law
This article examines the approach taken by Australian coroners to interpreting the law relating to suicide, and to applying it in practice. A previous review of the laws and commentary guiding coroners in Australian states and territories revealed not only that coroners are the only persons tasked with making routine legal determinations of suicide, but that such legal guidance lacks clarity. This study involved semi-structured interviews with A…
Determining a Suicide under Australian Law
This article examines the role of coroners in making legal determinations of suicide in Australia. Research indicates that the requirement to make findings of intent and capacity in unexpected, violent deaths can be difficult for coroners and recent government inquiries have suggested that the law contributes to the problem. A review of laws and commentary that guide coroners in Australian states and territories reveals not only that coroners are…
Suicide, statistics and the coroner
Australia has a significantly higher suicide rate than England. Rather than accepting that this 'statistical fact' is a direct reflection of some positivist truth, this article begins with the premise that how suicide is counted depends upon what counts as suicide. This study involves semi-structured interviews with coroners both in Australia and England, as well as observations at inquests. Important differences between the two coronial systems …
Shaping the 'At-Risk Youth
The category of the `at-risk youth' currently underpins a good deal of youth policy, and in particular, education policy. Primarily, the category is centred around a range of programmes associated with the need for state intervention, intervention which largely occurs `at a distance' within domains such as the school and the family. While it is argued that in some ways, the `at-risk youth' simply replaces older characterisations used in the polic…
Fasting and the female body
This paper will examine the literature on 'anorexia nervosa', and argue that it is underpinned by three fundamental assumptions.First, 'anorexia nervosa' is a reflection of the mismatch between true 'inner self' and the external 'false self', the latter self being the distorted product of a male dominated society.Second, the explanation for the severe fasting practices constitutive of 'anorexia nervosa' (a new social problem) is to be found withi…
Free will, moral responsibility and ADHD
One of the oldest problems in philosophy concerns the relationship between free will and moral responsibility. If we adopt the position that we lack free will, in the absolute sense-as have most philosophers who have addressed this issue-how can we truly be held accountable for what we do? This paper will contend that the most significant and interesting challenge to the long-standing status-quo on the matter comes not from philosophy, jurisprude…
The ADHD debate and the philosophy of truth
There is ongoing and wide-ranging dispute over the proliferation of childhood behaviour disorders. In particular, the veracity of the category Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), has been the subject of considerable scepticism. With no end to the debate in sight, it will be argued here that the problem might effectively be approached, not by addressing the specific features of ADHD itself, but rather by a philosophical analysis of on…
The Logic of ADHD
The Autopsy Imperative
Firearm suicide in Queensland
The purpose of this article is to examine firearm suicide in Queensland. In 2006, statistical data were gathered from all closed paper coronial files for the 12-month period of December 2003-December 2004. Of the 567 people who committed suicide in Queensland during this period, 48 (8.5%) used firearms. The following results emerge from this data: first, gun suicides are continuing to decrease in Queensland, most likely as a function of ongoing g…
Communicating with the Coroner
Based on coronial data gathered in the state of Queensland in 2004, this article reviews how a change in legislation may have impacted autopsy decision making by coroners. More specifically, the authors evaluated whether the requirement that coronial autopsy orders specify the level of invasiveness of an autopsy to be performed by a pathologist was affected by the further requirement that coroners take into consideration a known religion, culture…
The Body in Grief
Sudden, violent and otherwise unexplained deaths are investigated in most western jurisdictions through a Coronial or medico-legal process. A crucial element of such an investigation is the legislative requirement to remove the body for autopsy and other medical interventions, processes which can disrupt traditional religious and cultural grieving practices. While recent legislative changes in an increasing number of jurisdictions allow families …
Problems with the coronial determination of ‘suicide’
After over 100 years of constant dissatisfaction with the accuracy of suicide data, this \npaper suggests that the problem may actually lie with the category of suicide itself. In almost all previous \nresearch, ‘suicide’ is taken to be a self-evidently valid category of death, not an object of study \nin its own right. Instead, the focus in this paper is upon the presupposition that how a social fact \nlike suicide is counted depends upon norms …
Investigating death
The over-representation of vulnerable populations within the criminal justice system, and the role of police in perpetuating this, has long been a topic of discussion in criminology. What is less discussed is the way in which non-criminal investigations by police, in areas like a death investigation, may similarly disadvantage and discriminate against vulnerable populations. In Australia, as elsewhere, it is police who are responsible for investi…
Scrutinising the Other
In common law countries like England, Australia, the USA and Canada, certain deaths come to be investigated through the coronial system. These include sudden, unnatural or suspicious deaths as well as those which appear to be the result of naturally occurring disease but the precise cause is unknown. When a reportable death occurs in Australia, a number of professional groups become involved in its investigation – police, coroners, pathologists a…
Suicide, statistics and the coroner
Australia has a significantly higher suicide rate than England. Rather than accepting that this 'statistical fact' is a direct reflection of some positivist truth, this article begins with the premise that how suicide is counted depends upon what counts as suicide. This study involves semi-structured interviews with coroners both in Australia and England, as well as observations at inquests. Important differences between the two coronial systems …
The continuing implications of the ‘crime’ of suicide
The long history of suicide as a criminal offence still has a significant contemporary effect on how it is perceived, conceptualised and adjudged. This is particularly the case within countries where suicide is largely determined within a coronial system, such as Australia, the UK and the US. This paper details the outcomes of a study involving semi-structured interviews with coroners both in England and Australia, as well as observations at inqu…
Coronial Practice, Indigeneity and Suicide
All available data suggest that, like many other Indigenous peoples, Australian Aborigines are significantly more likely to kill themselves than are non-Aboriginal Australians. This statistical disparity is normally positioned an objective, ontological and undeniable social fact, a fact best explained as a function of endemic community disadvantage and disenfranchisement. This research explores the possibility that higher-than-normal Aboriginal s…
Determining a Suicide under Australian Law
This article examines the role of coroners in making legal determinations of suicide in Australia. Research indicates that the requirement to make findings of intent and capacity in unexpected, violent deaths can be difficult for coroners and recent government inquiries have suggested that the law contributes to the problem. A review of laws and commentary that guide coroners in Australian states and territories reveals not only that coroners are…
Determining a Suicide under Australian Law
This article examines the approach taken by Australian coroners to interpreting the law relating to suicide, and to applying it in practice. A previous review of the laws and commentary guiding coroners in Australian states and territories revealed not only that coroners are the only persons tasked with making routine legal determinations of suicide, but that such legal guidance lacks clarity. This study involved semi-structured interviews with A…
Coronial decision-making and the management, classification and conceptualisation of the finding of ‘suicide’
This paper addresses some of the results from a large-scale-funded research project into the coronial conceptualisation and adjudgement of suicide, founded upon an ongoing dissatisfaction with the validity of suicide data. The research is based upon in-depth interviews with 32 coroners from all but one Australian jurisdiction and focuses upon the administrative, epistemological and ontological categorisation of suicide as a type of death. The cor…
Responsibilisation and acceptable verbal behaviour in schools
Coronial Inquests, Indigenous Suicide and the Colonial Narrative
Coronial determination of suicide
The purpose of this article is to extend previous discussion of the relationship between coronial verdicts of suicide and suicide statistics, through a detailed examination of coronial decision-making during 130 inquests in Queensland, Australia between 2004 and 2018. This research suggests that the official category of suicide does not have the same meaning for different coroners, and it is unlikely that coroners follow the same rules in assigni…
Psychology (19 works) · Medicine (16 works) · Law (15 works) · Political science (15 works) · Criminology (12 works) · Poison control (12 works) · Medical emergency (11 works) · Suicide prevention (11 works) · Law (9 works) · Sociology (9 works)