Citation

Jiménez Nuño J, Arrufat Nebot FX, Carrera Goula R, Gay Pastor M. Rev. Esp. Med. Legal 2012; 38(4): 131-136.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Madrid Asociacion Nacional de Medicos Forenses, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.reml.2012.08.002

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This work is a collaboration between the Hospital Consortium of Vic (CHV) and the Legal Medicine Institute of Catalonia (LMIC), through Forensic Clinical Services (FCS) of Vic, for the analysis and assessment of deaths by suicide. Material and methods: Prior to the study, we negotiated an agreement establishing the terms of the collaboration between both institutions. We analyzed all deaths by suicide in the judicial district of Vic since 2006. Variables studied were: age, sex, country of origin, marital status, physical constitution, used method, population, time of year, medical and psychiatric history, suicide scene, previous suicide attempts and suicide notes. We calculated the rate of incidence and distribution of suicides according to these variables, and put into practice actions to reduce suicide incidence.

RESULTS: Suicide is more common in men than women. It prevails both in middle age and old age of life. Violent methods (hanging, jumping from heights, train impact) are the most frequent. A high percentage of people who committed suicide had a psychiatric history.

DISCUSSION: Suicide rate in Osona is higher than in Catalonia. The rate has decreased from the baseline, except for the last year. A large percentage of suicidal patients with a psychiatric history were untreated. This suggests the need to develop programs to increase detection and treatment of people at risk, by means of raising awareness and training of groups in contact with them (gatekeepers). In the future, we will use psychological autopsy to study suicides in order to obtain complete and relevant information. © 2012 Asociacion Nacional de Medicos Forenses. Publicado por Elsevier Espana, S.L. Todos los derechos reservados.

Language: es

Keywords

Suicide; Mental health; Prevention and control; Forensic and hospital agreement