Suicide by age, Ethnic Group, Coroners’ Verdicts and Country of Birth: a Three-Year Survey in Inner London

A 3-year (1991-1993) survey was conducted of all unnatural deaths of residents of selected London boroughs. Rates were compared by ethnicity, & for whites, by birthplace. 329 likely suicides were identified. Relatively few ethnic minority & white immigrant suicides had received a suicide verdict. Rates of Scottish- & Irish-born residents were 2.1-2.9 times higher than the local base rate. It is concluded that the classification of suicide is biased with respect to ethnicity & national origin.