RACIAL AND ETHNIC PATTERNS IN FIREARMS DEATHS

In the United States, there is currently an epidemic of firearms viole nce. Among victims of this violence, there are striking racial and eth nic patterns in the manners and circumstances of death. This study was conducted to explore and quantitate some of these differences. Autops y and investigation reports of 554 consecutive firearms deaths in Dall as County, Texas, from March 1992 to February 1993 were reviewed. Over all suicide rates by race for 1970 and 1990 were calculated. Suicide r ates for blacks have increased while overall rates (all races) have de creased slightly. Large racial and ethnic differences in the homicide- suicide ratio (H:S) were found (0.42 in non-Hispanic whites; 7.44 in o thers) (p < 0.001). Non-Hispanic whites who committed suicide with a f irearm were less likely than other groups to do so with another person present (12% non-Hispanic whites; 49% others) (p < 0.001). Blacks and Asians who committed suicide with a firearm killed another person in 67% of witnessed cases (those with another person present during the i ncident). Whites (Hispanics and non-Hispanics) killed another person i n only 12% of witnessed firearm suicides. The data suggest that the su btypes, psychodynamics, and causes of suicide may currently differ amo ng racial and ethnic groups. These differences should be considered in order to formulate adequate prevention strategies and to assess the s uicide and homicide risk in depressed individuals. The difficulty of a ccurate death certification in some cases is also discussed.