A controlled study of suicide pacts.

The records of the Dade County Medical Examiner's Office were reviewed and 20 suicide pacts (double suicides) were identified. These 40 suicide pact victims were compared using a standardized instrument to 120 randomly selected single Dade County suicides, from the same time period and area. Suicide pacts were also compared based on their composition (spouses, other intrafamilial pairs, and lovers). Suicide pact victims differed significantly from single suicides on several variables, including the tendency to use guns, leave suicide notes, have alcohol-positive blood, be older, be less depressed, and to suicide in the morning hours.