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Child Suicide in the North of Portugal
Author(s) -
Mendes Ricardo,
Santos Sara,
Taveira Francisco,
DinisOliveira Ricardo Jorge,
Santos Agostinho,
Magalhães Teresa
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.12685
Subject(s) - suicide prevention , poison control , injury prevention , suicide methods , human factors and ergonomics , occupational safety and health , psychiatry , forensic science , medicine , medical emergency , population , portuguese , psychology , environmental health , suicide rates , pathology , linguistics , philosophy , veterinary medicine
Suicide in children is a rare finding and is probably motivated by acts of impulsiveness. This study aims to contribute to the characterization of child suicide in a forensic perspective in the Portuguese population. Data of forensic autopsies from 2004 to 2012 related to suicide victims under 18 years were reviewed. A total of 17 cases, with a male predominance (64.7%) and a mean age of 15.24 ± 1.348 for both genders, were registered. The leading suicide method was hanging (35.3%), and a suicide note was found in 41.2%. Psychological autopsy proved to be useful in promoting a better understanding of these incidents and their antecedents. This study also offers useful information, namely the implied risk factors, for future programs of suicide research and prevention.