NCJ Number
182663
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 44 Issue: 5 Dated: September 1999 Pages: 902-905
Editor(s)
R. E. Gaensslen Ph.D.
Date Published
1999
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Autopsy protocols at the office of Florida's Chief Medical Examiner were reviewed with respect to suicidal drowning; between July 1, 1994, and June 30, 1998, 267 persons drowned and 873 persons committed suicide in Broward County.
Abstract
Of these, 25 were suicidal drownings, representing 2.86 percent of all suicides, and overall the 8th leading cause of suicidal death. When considering suicide in the age group of 65 years and older, which accounts for 19.8 percent of the population and 17.4 percent of all suicides, drowning represented 6.7 percent of all suicidal deaths. For females, drowning represented the third most common form of suicidal death. The presence of alcohol or other drugs was less typical in elderly suicide victims than in younger victims. Of the 25 drowning suicides, swimming pools, canals, and lakes were the preferred locations of choice. Additional drowning and suicide-related criteria were evaluated, including marital status, mental health, clothing worn, previous suicide attempts or threats, suicide notes, and personal effects at the suicide scene, with the intention of establishing a profile for drowning by suicide. Given the relative abundance of water, the suicidal drowning rate appeared to be lower than what might otherwise be expected. 9 references and 5 tables