Pattern of Suicide: a Review of Autopsies Conducted at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur

A 3-year restrospective study of all autopsies performed at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur was conducted; all cases determined to be suicides were further studied. 48.8% of all victims were ethnic Indians, even though Indians formed only 8% of the Malaysian population. 38.1% of victims were Chinese & 3.6% were Malays. The most common methods were poisoning & hanging. The majority of cases were in the age group 20-40 years. Some cases may have been missed due to misclassification as accidental deaths or where police released the body without postmortem examination. (17 refs.)

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