Citation

Avis SP. J. Can. Soc. Forensic Sci. 1996; 29(3): 119-125.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Canadian Society of Forensic Science, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00085030.1996.10757055

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Suicide accounts for approximately 1.9% of all deaths in Canada with 3700 suicide deaths annually and a suicide rate of 13/100,000 population. While suicide rates vary geographically, Newfoundland has historically enjoyed a lower than average suicide rate. The present study examined all suicides that occurred within the metropolitan St. John's area for the years 1988-1994. From each file the age, sex, method of suicide, alcohol and drug abuse, presence of a suicide note, location of the suicide, and the month of the year the suicide occurred was recorded. Of the 117 suicides the majority were male, the most common victim being a male between the age of 31-40. The most common method for males was the use of a firearm, followed by hanging and drug overdose, while for females drug overdose and hanging were the most common methods. Concomitant alcohol ingestion varied with the method used. Suicide notes were uncommon being found in only 15.4% of victims and the majority of suicides occurred at the victims residence. The results are compared to other studies that have examined suicide.