Citation

Sandeep S, Sarthak J, Kumar BR, Jayanthi Y. Med. Legal Update 2017; 17(2): 12-16.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, R.K. Sharma and Institute of Medico-Legal Publications)

DOI

10.5958/0974-1283.2017.00059.7

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Psychological autopsy is the reconstruction of events leading to death. There are few studies on psychological autopsy. Aims: To understand the profile of suicide completers and compare patients who attempted suicide by hanging with those who attempt suicide by consuming poison on demographic and phenomenological variables and assess the socio-demographic characteristics, psychosocial factors, and psychiatric and physical co-morbidity associated with completed suicide. Materials and Method: Two hundred complete suicide cases were analyzed. Using a semi-structured, selfdesigned questionnaire, the family, friends and relatives of the deceased were interviewed.

RESULTS: The presence of some type of stressful life events and family history of suicide are two important factors for committing suicide.

CONCLUSIONS: It could be concluded that psychological autopsy just like physical autopsy can be useful tool to investigate the antecedent of death and reveals the deceased contribution to their own death. © 2017, World Informations Syndicate. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Hanging; Poisonous substances; Psychological autopsy; Suicide