Elderly Suicide: A 5-Year Forensic Autopsy Analysis in the North of Portugal

Elderly suicide is a well known worldwide health problem, and suicides rates, in this age range, vary considerably. However, there are still few studies published based on information collected from forensic autopsy. The aim of our study was to, through forensic autopsy analysis, investigate the sociodemographic characteristics, mental and physical health status, as well as the suicide methods of the elderly population from the North of Portugal, emphasizing the role of Forensic Medicine in suicide prevention. Between January 2010 and December 2014, a total of 11 642 forensic autopsies were performed at the North Branch of the Portuguese National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, 449cases corresponding to suicides of elderly people (65 years or older). The gender ratio male/female was 3:1. Hanging was the most frequent suicide method (48.6%) regardless gender or residence area. A positive psychiatric history was present in 71.2% of the elderly, being this group more likely to commit suicide at younger ages (p=0.000).The results of this study pointed the highly lethal nature of suicidal behavior in elderly and the intensity of their intent to die. Therefore, these data can constitute an important guide to have in account to establish strategies for suicide prevention in elderly population, proving that the contribution of Forensic Medicine in suicide prevention is important and necessary, and it shouldn't be neglected, considering the eminently social character of this medical discipline.