@article{ref1,
title="Analysing crime scene data, medical records and forensic information to determine the causes of suicides",
journal="Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons -- Pakistan : JCPSP",
year="2024",
author="Benli, Ali Ramazan and Simsek, Erhan",
volume="34",
number="4",
pages="407-412",
abstract="OBJECTIVE:  To analyse crime scene data, medical records, and forensic information to unveil insights into the causes and traits of suicides. STUDY DESIGN:  Descriptive study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Family Medicine, Kayseri City Hospital, Kayseri, Turkiye, between January 2020 to December 2021. <br><br>METHODOLOGY:  A suicide investigation team (doctor, social worker, psychologist) was created to study cases and conduct on-site psychological autopsies. Triggered by emergency calls, the team interviewed suicide victims' relatives using semi-structured questionnaires, gathering data on personal details, time, method, and potential motives. Medical records revealed psychiatric history and medication use, while national judicial systems were reviewed for legal records. <br><br>RESULTS:  A total of 158 fatal suicides were studied. Males accounted for 73.4%, females 26.6%. The leading cause was psychiatric illness (43%), chiefly depression (39%). Suicide peaked in the fall, especially in September, mainly at 23:00-23:59. Home was the common site (58.9%), and hanging was the primary method (44.3%). Prior hospitalisation for suicide attempts was 7.5%. Criminal records were held by 16.4% (26 individuals). <br><br>CONCLUSION:  The results support the idea that suicides have seasonal patterns and that there are temporal windows of increased risk for suicide. KEY WORDS: Suicide reasons, Suicide time, Psychological autopsy, Seasonal and temporal patterns.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1022-386X",
doi="10.29271/jcpsp.2024.04.407",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.29271/jcpsp.2024.04.407"
}