THE CORONERS SYSTEM AND UNDER-REPORTING OF SUICIDE

This study investigates the under-reporting of suicide with particular reference to differences between sex and age groups and the various m odes of suicide. The study was performed retrospectively using the fil es of H M Coroner for South Yorkshire (West) over the years 1985 to 19 91. There were 536 deaths judged on the balance of probability to be s uicidal in nature. Only 60 per cent of these deaths received a suicide verdict and would therefore register in official suicide statistics. A significantly smaller proportion of females (51.7 per cent) received a suicide verdict than males (64.5 per cent). Of the young females (< 45) 61.7 per cent were given a suicide verdict compared to 46.6 per ce nt of older females (45+). These differences are explained by differen t preferences for mode of suicide, in particular for poisoning using s olids or liquids. Only 40 per cent of cases within this category recei ved a suicide verdict. Drowning showed an even smaller percentage (24 per cent). Self-immolation (42 per cent) and jumping from a height (51 per cent) were also under-represented. Of these, self-poisoning, drow ning and jumping from a height were relatively popular among females. In contrast, common causes of death favoured predominantly by males - hanging and carbon monoxide poisoning - received a high percentage of suicide verdicts (81 per cent and 90 per cent). Thus official suicide statistics produce a distorted view of the suicide population with rel ative underreporting of females, particularly older females, and marke d under-reporting of some causes of death, notably poisoning using sol ids or liquids, drowning, self-immolation and jumping from a height.