[Suicides by poisoning investigated by the Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Aarhus, Denmark, 1994-2003].

INTRODUCTION

This study was performed to identify the substances used in deliberate self-poisoning and to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of these cases, with the goal of improving prevention of suicides.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The material is made up of 121 cases of deliberate self-poisoning examined at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Aarhus, during the years 1994-2003. The cases were subjected to a forensic autopsy and a toxicological screening for alcohol, drugs, carbon monoxide, cyanide and pesticides.

RESULTS

This material included only 12% of the cases of deliberate self-poisoning in the area serviced by the Institute. 70% were caused by legal drugs and 17% by carbon monoxide. A total of 52 different substances were found. In one third of the cases, two or more substances were found in a lethal concentration. Analgesics and antidepressants were the most common of these. The wide range of substances used was subject to change during the period of investigation. In addition, 40 different substances in therapeutic or only slightly increased concentrations were found. In most cases, the deceased was unemployed, living alone, suffering from a psychiatric disease and addicted to legal or illegal drugs or alcohol. In half the cases, there had been a previous suicide attempt.

CONCLUSION

It is recommended that only small amounts of drugs be prescribed to persons in danger of committing suicide, as identified by the above-mentioned characteristics.