Open Access
Subscription Access
Open Access
Subscription Access
Female Suicide Deaths - a Multidimensional Retrospective Analysis
Subscribe/Renew Journal
Background
Suicide is a multidimensional and multifactorial malaise. It is perceived as a social problem in our country. This study was to give a broad picture of all available information about the female suicide death cases dealt in Institute of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Government General Hospital, Chennai.
Objective
The aim was to collect data, make a broad analysis, interpret and arrive at conclusive opinion about female suicide deaths in Chennai.
Methodology
A retrospective analysis of female suicide deaths encountered in Institute of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Government General Hospital, Chennai in the year 2008 was done. This information was collected from the available records.
Results
A total of 43 female suicide deaths were dealt in Institute of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, GGH, Chennai in the year 2008. Among these cases maximum number of them belong to the age group of 21 to 40 years, was married and was unemployed. 25 cases of poisoning was reported which contributed to the maximum. Organophosphorus compounds were the most common poison consumed. Other methods include hanging and burns. Interestingly abdominal pain was reported to be most common reason for committing suicide as per the records available.
Conclusion The cause of death supported by the autopsy findings has been elucidated in all the cases. Further on considering the reason for committing suicide, it is noteworthy to mention that in majority of cases abdominal pain has been the factor behind such acts as the records available. This reason could be a manifestation of psychosomatic illness. Mental disorders occupy a premier position in the matrix of causation of suicide. The object of the study would be more fulfilled if it throws open newer dimensions of studies like psychological autopsy to prevent such deaths in future.
Keywords
- Lakshmi Vijaykumar. Suicide and its prevention: the urgent need in India. Indian Journal of Psychiatry. 2007 Dec 10; 49(2): 81-4.
- Gupta BD, Vaghela PC. Profile of fatal poisoning in and around Jamnagar. Journal of Indian academy of forensic medicine. 2005 May 4; 27(3) : 98-103.
- Ahmed M, Farial Naima Rahman. Overview of OPC poisoning in Bangladesh and medicoaspects related to fatal case. Journal of Armed Forces medical college, Bangladesh. 2009 June 1; 5(1): 57-9.
- Donald J Ecobichon. Toxic effects of pesticides. In: Curtis D Klaassen, editor. Casarett and Doull’s toxicology The basic science of poisons. 5th ed. United States: McGraw Hill; 1975. p. 643-683.
- Pilay VV. Pesticides. In: Pilay VV, editor. Handbook of Forensic Medicine and toxicology. 13th ed. Hyderabad: Paras publications; 2003. p. 424-442.
- Gannur PG, Prakash Maka, OPC poisoning in Gulbarga region-five year study. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. 2008 Oct 3; 2(1): 38-40.
- Yao WC. A case of acute Lysol poisoning. Chinese Journal of Industrial Medicine. 2005 Apr 6; 18(6): 17-20.
- Jelenko C, Story J, Ellison RG. Ingestion of mineral acid. PMID [4810637]. 1974 Feb 14; [cited 1974 Feb 24]; 40(2): [about 4 screens]. Available from:http://www.ncbi.n/ m.nih.gov/pubmed/4810637.
- Pilay VV. Caustics. In: Pilay VV, editor. Handbook of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. 13th ed. Hyderabad: Paras Publications; 2003. p. 181-200.
- Meerut KL, Ellis J, Aronow R, Perrin E. Acute ammonium dichromate poisoning. PMID [8092606]. 1994 Oct 7; [cited 1994 Oct 12]; 24(4): [about 5 screens]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.n/m.nih.gov/pubmed/8092606.
- Job C. Ammonium dichromate poisoning: A case report. Anil Aggarwal’s Internet Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology [7018321]. 2005 Jan-June; [cited 2005 Jan- June]; 6(1): [about 3 screens]. Available from: http:// www.geradts.com/anil/ij/vol_006_no_00/papers/ paper003.html.
- Sumeet Singla, Sanjeev Miglani. Paraphenylene diamine poisoning. Journal of Indian academy of Forensic Medicine. 2005 July 7; 6(3): 236-8.
- Pierre Chue, Peter Singer. A review of olanzapine associated toxicity and fatality in overdose. JPN [165790]. 2003 july 8 ; [cited 2003 july18] ; 28(4); [about 5 screens]. Available f r o m : h t t p : / / w w w. p u b m e d c e n t r a l . n i h . g o v / articlerender.fcgi?artid=165790
- Pilay VV. asphyxial death. In: Pilay VV, editor. Handbook of Forensic Medicine and toxicology. 13th ed. Hyderabad: Paras publication; 2003. p. 181-200.
- Bruce R Ranson, Stephen G Waxman, Robert Fern. Molecular pathophysiology of white matter anoxic and ischemic injury. In: Henry J M Barnett, Mohr JP, Benett M Stein, Frank M Yatsu, editors. Stroke Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone; 1986. P. 85-100.
- Werner U Spitz. Thermal injuries. In: Werner U Spitz, editor. Spitz and Fisher’s Medicolegal investigation of death Guidelines for the application of pathology to crime investigation. 3rd ed. Illinois: Charles C Thomas; 1993. p. 413-443.
- Lari AR, Alaghehbandan R, Panjeshahin MR, Johatari MT. Suicidal behavior by burns in province of Fars, Iran. Crisis. 2009 Aug 10; 30(2): 98-101.
- Pilay VV. Thermal injuries. In: Pilay VV, editor. Handbook of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. 13th ed. Hyderabad: Paras publications; 2003. p. 162-171.
- Spiegel B, Schoenfeld P. Systemic review- the prevalence of suicidal behavior in patients with chronic abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome. Alimentary Pharmacology and therapeutics. 2007 Nov 8; 26(3): 183-193.
- Venkoba Rao A. Physical illness, pain, suicidal behavior. Crisis. 1990 Nov 14; 11(2): 48-56.
Abstract Views: 279
PDF Views: 0