Year: 1989 Source: Indian Journal of Psychiatry, v.31, no.1, (January 1989), p.43-50 SIEC No: 19910780

A study of 100 consecutive cases of burned females (aged 15-40 yrs) revealed 70% to be suicidal. The important causes of suicide attempts were psychiatric disorders (23%), physical illness (15%) & marital & interpersonal problems (51%). The unreliability of dying declarations was observed. The degree of burns, previous suicide attempts & family history were analysed. The technique of psychological autopsy used for collection of data & reconstruction of the suicide is described. (28 refs.)