jammi, I already corrected my second post with that new information. Although I don't really see why it's not a viable option. I would much rather kill myself and rob the enemy of the kill than let the enemy kill me if I were in a situation that would offer me such a choice.
I suppose we arrived at another thing that's done in a particular way in computer games that I'm yet somewhat ignorant of.
Couden, I agree that it sucks, but if someone managed to kill oneself and deny you the kill then it's clear that you haven't done the kill. That's my logic here.
Have in mind that I am yet to participate in any combat against other players in Freelancer myself, so my approach is that of an outsider until that point arrives in time.
Its Raisu also has a point that in general, it would be very difficult to differentiate whether the player died by their own hands or the ineptitude of their mining technique.