*Assistant Professor, Deptt. of Forensic Medicine, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram Kerala, Pin-695011 E mail: sharijajp@yahoo.co.in
**Professor & Head, Medical College, Alappuzha, Kerala
***Associate Professor, Sree Gokulam Medical College and Research Foundation, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Online published on 17 August, 2012.
Suicide rate is increasing all over the world; but the rate is disproportionately higher in Kerala. One hundred and eighty one cases of known dead bodies of both genders brought for medico-legal autopsy with history of suicide by hanging, were studied at the Department of Forensic Medicine, State Medico Legal Institute, Government Medical College, Thruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
There was a male preponderance in the study group (71.3%) and majority of males were young or middle aged (82.1%) whereas females were adolescents or young adults (73.1%). Among the males, only 2.3% were farmers. Alcoholism was noted in 75.2% of males. Immediate psychological problems were the reason for suicide in 33.7% of cases, majority of them being married (55.8%).
Soft materials, that were easily available, were used as ligatures (48.6%) which were tightened around neck by slip knots (58%) on the sides of neck (53%).
Suicide, Hanging, Psychological Problems, Alcoholism, Soft Ligature Material
