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Suicides by Burning in England and Wales

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

David Prosser
David Prosser*
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health Sciences, St George's Hospital Medical School, London
*
David Prosser, c/o Maudsley Continuing Care Study, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF
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Abstract

Background

The aim was to examine suicides by burning (SBB) occurring in England and Wales.

Method

The method was a retrospective case note examination of death certificates, coroners' inquest notes and GP notes for all SBBs registered in 1991 by OPCS in England and Wales, and an examination of SBB statistics from 1979–1992.

Results

In 24% of cases the incident involved others either as intended or actual victims or as witnesses, and three distinct groups (Asian-born women, schizophrenics, and homicide–suicides) were over-represented. The majority were not in contact with current psychiatric services, and 43% had never had contact with psychiatric services. There was no trend in SBB compared to other suicides in 1979–1992.

Conclusions

While SBB may be associated with Asian-born women, homicide–suicide and schizophrenia, the majority of cases did not have these characteristics, and the overall psychiatric contact rate was similar to suicide by unspecified means.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 168 , Issue 2 , February 1996 , pp. 175 - 182
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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