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A study of suicides in Kildare, 1995-2002
Cliona McGovern1, Denis A Cusack
1Division of Legal Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine, University College Dublin, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Journal of Clinical Forensic Medicine
|November 4, 2004
Summary
Discrepancies in suicide data recording in Kildare, Ireland (1995-2002) were identified. Standardizing suicide verdict recording is recommended to improve accuracy and address variances between coroner and Central Statistics Office (CSO) data.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Legal Medicine
Background:
- Suicide statistics in Ireland are derived from Central Statistics Office (CSO) Form 104, based on police opinion, not coroner inquest verdicts.
- Lack of a central national repository for coroner records across Ireland's 48 jurisdictions complicates data aggregation.
- Variances exist between coroner records and official suicide rates due to differing verdict recording practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze suicide cases in Kildare from 1995 to 2002.
- To identify high-risk groups for suicide within the study population.
- To highlight discrepancies in suicide data collection methods.
Main Methods:
- Examination of 109 suicide case records from the Kildare County Coroner.
- Analysis of data to determine demographic trends and high-risk groups.
- Comparison of coroner's records with official CSO suicide statistics.
Main Results:
- Males constituted over 84% of suicides.
- 32 male suicides occurred in the 20-30 age group.
- Significant discrepancies were noted between coroner verdicts and CSO reported causes of death.
Conclusions:
- The current method of recording suicide verdicts leads to inaccuracies in national suicide rates.
- Standardization of suicide verdict recording is crucial for reliable epidemiological data.
- Targeted interventions for high-risk groups, particularly young males, may be necessary.