Citation

Goldney RD. Psychiatry Psychol. Law. 2010; 17(1): 52-56.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Law, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13218710903268014

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Doubt about the reliability of official suicide statistics has been noted for over 200 years. Confounding issues include State or religious sanctions; there may be insurance considerations; there is family and community sensitivity about the recording of suicide; different professions are entrusted with the delineation of suicide; and there are differences between clinical and legal definitions of suicide. Systematic studies suggest that official figures provide a valid basis for broad comparisons, but that does not negate the importance of ensuring that suicide data are robust and reliable. © 2010 The Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law.

Language: en

Keywords

Statistics; Suicide; Reliability