Geospatial analysis of suicidal bridge jumping in the Metro Vancouver Regional District from 2006 to 2014.
In the past decade, there have been many structural changes implemented to Vancouver's largest bridges as a means of deterring criminogenic and suicidal behaviors. Guided by an environmental criminology theoretical framework, this research examines the patterns and trends of 201 cases of successful suicide jumping in the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) of British Columbia, Canada from 2006 to 2014. To evaluate these trends and to bolster the existing literature on deterrence measures through environmental design, this research will examine the spatial relationship between preferential bridge jumping locations and the home addresses of the deceased. Network analysis of 145 bridge jumpers suggests that suicidal people are willing to travel greater distances to jump from more iconic bridges than those closest to their home. Beyond mere aesthetic or practical functions, symbolic significance may impact which bridges become suicide hotspots over other convenient locations. Dwelling types, demographic profiles, and regional prevalence in the MVRD have also been aggregated and explored in this study.
School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University, Canada; Centre for Forensic Research, Simon Fraser University, Canada. Electronic address: chi.chi.lam@sfu.ca.
Vienna C
VC
Lam
School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University, Canada.
J Bryan
JB
Kinney
School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University, Canada; Centre for Forensic Research, Simon Fraser University, Canada.
Lynne S
LS
Bell
D001955:British Columbia; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D013405:Suicide; D019371:Topography, Medical; D014186:Transportation
Bridge jumping; Network analysis; Suicide; Victimology