Changes in Classification of Suicide in England and Wales: Time Trends and Associations With Coroners’ Professional Backgrounds

This paper states that the legal definition of suicide in England & Wales (E&W) gives rise to a high proportion of open verdicts & an underestimated suicide rate. Examines whether the ratio between open & suicide verdicts has changed between 1974 & 1991 & whether it varies according to coroner’s qualifications. States that due to factors in the death registration system, the ratio between the two has increased substantially in E&W since the early 70’s, & that 1990 was higher than most countries.