Suicides by fall from height in Geneva, Switzerland, from 1991 to 2000.
Suicides due to fall from height in Geneva from 1991 to 2000 were reviewed. Scene investigations, autopsy findings, psychiatric histories, and toxicology results were examined. There were 197 of these suicides, an incidence of five cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year or one fourth of all suicides in Geneva per year. Autopsies were performed on 33%, the rest had external examinations. Of the victims, 56% were female and 44% were male. The age distribution peaked at 20-29 years in men and 60-69 years in women. Most of the victims jumped from their home, the range of 2 to 7 stories being the most frequent height. Major injury sites, in decreasing frequency, were the thorax, abdomen, skull, vertebrae, pelvis and limbs. Psychiatric illness was reported in 38% of the cases. Toxicological analysis was performed in 25% of the cases and showed that the main drugs present were benzodiazepines, cannabis and antidepressant.
Perret
Guillaume
G
Institut Universitaire de Médecine Légale de Genève, Switzerland.
Flomenbaum
Mark
M
La Harpe
Romano
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000097:blood; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000097:blood; D002188:Cannabis; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012621:Seasons; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000431:Ethanol