English Translation

43a 2011. It is important to clarify whether there is any conduct under applicable law that is still unpunished. In 1939, therefore, without prejudice to the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the following principles must be applied throughout the territory of the Reich: (1) The processing of suicides and suicide attempts shall be carried out by the Crimean-Pol., which is responsible for the local police, and, if such a non-local police is present, by the local authorities, which are generally responsible for carrying out criminal police duties (Gend., Schutzpol. (2) In the course of the investigations, the indications given under 1. must be taken into account in general. (3) For the police findings, the medical findings on the body are of fundamental importance. Therefore, the cause of death of an official doctor should be determined by an official physician, provided that the suspicion of an offence is not justified. The supplementary decree of 24 October 1939 (RMBliV. p. 2204) gives an interpretation to para. I 2 (3). In the sense of this circular, besides the official doctor as head of the health office, the other doctors employed by the Health Office as civil servants in the main or auxiliary office can act. This also includes the legal doctors. (4) The correct determination of the reasons which led to a suicide or suicide attempt is of particular importance. It will often be necessary not to limit the relationship in this investigation to the statements of the relatives of the motive. Also the information of the person who has committed a suicide attempt does not always need to be true or fatal (e.g. if the decision to commit suicide has been triggered by a dutyless or punishable behaviour of other persons and the person concerned has the desire to keep quiet about it). 5. If, during the investigation, there is a suspicion that a crime to be committed is connected with a suicide or suicide attempt, the competent Crimea.- K.P. unit Pol.-Stelle shall be immediately notified, unless it undertakes the investigation itself, and shall immediately initiate the necessary measures and monitor their implementation.