The characteristics of suicide by burning in Tehran were analyzed using data from 2002-2006. 374 cases were identified. The group at highest risk was young females. 65 of the victims died at the scene of the incident. The location of the suicide was home for all female victims & 75.4% of male victims. 61% of victims were married & 26.2% had no education. Results suggest that social factors are the main conditions leading to an unacceptably high rate of suicide by self-burning among women in Tehran. (37 refs.) JA