Coroner's verdicts in the elderly: a suicide or an open verdict?

OBJECTIVES

To identify variables, other than legal definitions, that may have influenced North Cheshire's Coroner in returning a verdict of 'suicide' or an 'open verdict' on unexpected deaths of the elderly.

DESIGN

Retrospective review of all coroner's verdicts in North Cheshire during a 5-year period 1989-1993.

MATERIAL

Forty-seven 'suicide' and 'open verdict' deaths in North Cheshire between 1989 and 1993 as defined in ICD classification 'E' codes E950-E959 and E980-E989, respectively, that were returned on the deceased aged 65 and above who died within North Cheshire.

FINDINGS

Logistic regression analysis suggests that the Coroner's decision may be influenced by: intimation of intent, psychiatric history and method of death. Sex of the deceased, history of attempted suicide, social setting and history of alcohol problems did not appear significantly associated with coroner's verdict.