Kenan Karbeyaz1, Harun Akkaya2, Yasemin Balci3, Beyza Urazel4. 1. Forensic Medicine Institution, Eskişehir Branch Office, Eskişehir, Turkey. 2. Forensic Medicine Institution Presidency, İstanbul, Turkey. 3. Department of Forensic Medicine, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Faculty of Medicine, Muğla, Turkey. 4. Department of Forensic Medicine, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Eskişehir, Turkey.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: It is estimated that a million people around the world die by suicide each year. It has been reported that a note was left in 5%-43% of the suicides. In this study, it we aimed to evaluate and discuss suicide notes in our city which is situated in Western Anatolia and where several universities are located. METHOD: All forensic deaths in Eskişehir in 10-year period between 2001 and 2011 were evaluated. Forensic investigation files were assessed. After investigation, Out of 399 cases, 168 (42.1%) cases, who were determined to have left a suicide letter, telephone message (sms) or message via social network sites, were included in the scope of the study. RESULTS: It was found that 95 (56.5%) of all cases had left a suicide letter, 69 (41.1%) cases had sent a telephone message to a person or more than one person, 4 (2.4%) cases had written notes about suicide and death in social networking sites. CONCLUSION: A suicide note is an important finding in suicide cases to clarify the case. However, the note should be confirmed by investigation to be accepted as evidence.
INTRODUCTION: It is estimated that a million people around the world die by suicide each year. It has been reported that a note was left in 5%-43% of the suicides. In this study, it we aimed to evaluate and discuss suicide notes in our city which is situated in Western Anatolia and where several universities are located. METHOD: All forensic deaths in Eskişehir in 10-year period between 2001 and 2011 were evaluated. Forensic investigation files were assessed. After investigation, Out of 399 cases, 168 (42.1%) cases, who were determined to have left a suicide letter, telephone message (sms) or message via social network sites, were included in the scope of the study. RESULTS: It was found that 95 (56.5%) of all cases had left a suicide letter, 69 (41.1%) cases had sent a telephone message to a person or more than one person, 4 (2.4%) cases had written notes about suicide and death in social networking sites. CONCLUSION: A suicide note is an important finding in suicide cases to clarify the case. However, the note should be confirmed by investigation to be accepted as evidence.
Authors: Ahmet Emre Aladağ; Serra Muderrisoglu; Naz Berfu Akbas; Oguzhan Zahmacioglu; Haluk O Bingol Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2018-06-21 Impact factor: 5.428