Citation

Arun M, Menezes RG, Babu YP, Bhagavath P, Mohanty MK. Med. Sci. Law 2007; 47(1): 69-73.

Affiliation

Department of Forensic Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, 576104, India. madhu255@yahoo.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, British Academy of Forensic Sciences, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

17345894

Abstract

A retrospective autopsy study of fatal deliberate self harm (FDSH) was undertaken in the mortuary of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, Southern India over a period of 12 years (1993-2004). Out of 1917 cases autopsied, 21.2% were deaths due to deliberate self harm (DSH). The male sex (66.1%) and victims in the third decade of life (35.9%) predominated. More than two-thirds of the decedents were married. More fatalities were observed during the winter season (35.8%) and in the day time (62.2%). Dispair with life (61.9%) was the most common motive for FDSH. The majority of fatalities were due to poisoning (73.5%), where organophosphorous compounds topped the list (71.9%). About one-third of the victims survived for 18 to 24 hours after DSH.

Language: en