Autopsy study of fatal deliberate self harm

A retrospective autopsy study of fatal deliberate self harm (FDSH) was undertaken in the mortuary of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, Southern India over a period of 12 years (1993-2004). Out of 1917 cases autopsied, 21.2% were deaths due to deliberate self harm (DSH). The male sex (66.1%) and victims in...

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Published inMedicine, science, and the law Vol. 47; no. 1; pp. 69 - 73
Main Authors Arun, M., Palimar, Vikram, Menezes, Ritesh G., Babu, Y.P. Raghavendra, Bhagavath, Prashantha, Mohanty, Manoj Kumar
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London, England SAGE Publications 01.01.2007
Subjects
Adult
Autopsy - legislation & jurisprudence
Child
Female
Humans
India
Male
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Suicide
India
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Summary:A retrospective autopsy study of fatal deliberate self harm (FDSH) was undertaken in the mortuary of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, Southern India over a period of 12 years (1993-2004). Out of 1917 cases autopsied, 21.2% were deaths due to deliberate self harm (DSH). The male sex (66.1%) and victims in the third decade of life (35.9%) predominated. More than two-thirds of the decedents were married. More fatalities were observed during the winter season (35.8%) and in the day time (62.2%). Dispair with life (61.9%) was the most common motive for FDSH. The majority of fatalities were due to poisoning (73.5%), where organophosphorous compounds topped the list (71.9%). About one-third of the victims survived for 18 to 24 hours after DSH.
ISSN:0025-8024
2042-1818
DOI:10.1258/rsmmsl.47.1.69