Gender differences in completed suicides in Istanbul, Turkey

Background: Psychological autopsy studies have been widely used to identify the cause of suicide. However, gender is one of the most frequently replicated predictors for suicide. To identify further the significant risk factors for suicide among males and females separately. Method: Data were obtained from The Turkish-Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute Morgue Department for all suicides deaths from April to August 2002 in Istanbul. 124 completed suicides were included in the study. Results: This study findings suggest that unemployed, not married or in a de facto relationship, previous suicide attempt, and alcohol or substance abuse were common amongst those who died by suicide. Most of the victims were male; the most frequent suicide methods were hanging and jumping down a high building followed by firearms. Both males and females were most frequently affected by psychiatric disorders. It was found that 108 cases that did not receive psychiatric care attempted suicide for the first time and committed suicide. Conclusion: This finding suggests that suicides should be investigated by an expert team and not by the police and victims' relatives only to determine whether they are really suicides or not. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.