Suicide pacts: international comparisons.

Twenty suicide pacts (double suicides) from the Florida Dade County Medical Examiner's Office were identified. These data were compared using a standardized instrument to published suicide pact data from England, Japan, and Bangalore City, India. Results were analyzed using simple statistical methods. Major differences were found between Western suicide pacts and Eastern suicide pacts. In this study, the frequency of suicide pacts was found to be greatest for Japan; lover pacts were found to be typical for Japan; spouse pacts were typical for Dade County and England; and friend pact frequency was greatest for Bangalore City. In addition, it was found that suicide pact victims, in general, choose nonviolent suicide methods.