Medicolegal Autopsies of Violent Deaths in Northern Norway 1972-1992

The characteristics of medicolegal autopsies of violent deaths in northern Norway are described. 1446 violent deaths over a 20 year period were examined. Suicide was the most frequent manner of violent death accounting for 24.9% of all deaths. 21.1% of violent deaths among children & adolescents were suicides. Gunshot injuries, suffocation & poisoning were the most common methods of suicide among males. Suffocation, poisoning & drowning were the methods used most often by females. (21 refs.)