TY - JOUR PY - 2014// TI - Child suicide in the north of Portugal JO - Journal of forensic sciences A1 - Mendes, Ricardo A1 - Santos, Sara A1 - Taveira, Francisco A1 - Dinis-Oliveira, Ricardo Jorge A1 - Santos, Agostinho A1 - Magalhães, Teresa SP - 471 EP - 475 VL - 60 IS - 2 N2 - Suicide in children is a rare finding and is probably motivated by acts of impulsiveness. This study aims to contribute to the characterization of child suicide in a forensic perspective in the Portuguese population. Data of forensic autopsies from 2004 to 2012 related to suicide victims under 18 years were reviewed. A total of 17 cases, with a male predominance (64.7%) and a mean age of 15.24 ± 1.348 for both genders, were registered. The leading suicide method was hanging (35.3%), and a suicide note was found in 41.2%. Psychological autopsy proved to be useful in promoting a better understanding of these incidents and their antecedents. This study also offers useful information, namely the implied risk factors, for future programs of suicide research and prevention.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0022-1198 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.12685 ID - ref1 ER -