Profile of Suicidal Autopsies in a Militancy-Affected State of

Background: Suicidal behavior is a major public health problem. Aims: To know the socio-demographic factors affecting suicidal attempts and the modes of suicidal death. Design: The retrospective observational study. Setting: Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Department of a tertiary care hospital. Subjects and Methods: All autopsies performed between January 2001 to December 2005 were analysed for total number of autopsies performed, allegedly suicide autopsies, mode of suicidal deaths, variation in suicidal deaths in relation to age, sex, place of residence and religion. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-square test was used to analyse the variability of suicidal deaths with age, sex, place of residence and religion. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of total 3485 autopsies 16.24 % (566) were allegedly suicidal autopsies. 335 (59.18%) and 231 (40.82%) victims were males and females respectively (p=0.080). 223 (39.39%) and 343 (60.61%) victims were from urban and rural area respectively (p=0.030)