title: Suicide registration in eight European countries: A qualitative analysis of procedures and practices.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare suicide registration in eight European countries and provide recommendations for quality improvement.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative data were collected from country experts using a structured questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Suicide registration was based on the medico-legal system in six countries and the coronial system in two. Differences not only between, but also within these two systems emerged. Several elements crucial to the consistency of suicide registration were identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A precise model for recording suicides should include: an accurate legal inquiry and clarification of suicidal intent; obligatory forensic autopsy for injury deaths; reciprocal communication among authorities; electronic data transmission; final decision-makers' access to information; trained coders.
authors.affiliation: Estonian-Swedish Mental Health and Suicidology Institute (ERSI), Oie 39, Tallinn 11615, Estonia. peeterv@uninet.ee
authors.forename: Peeter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Värnik
authors.forename: Merike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sisask
authors.forename: Airi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Värnik
authors.forename: Zrinka
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Laido
authors.forename: Ullrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Meise
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ibelshäuser
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van Audenhove
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reynders
authors.forename: Rüya-Daniela
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Kocalevent
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kopp
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dosa
authors.forename: Ella
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arensman
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Coffey
authors.forename: Christina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: van der Feltz-Cornelis
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gusmão
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hegerl
mesh_terms: D003334:Coroners and Medical Examiners / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003644:Death Certificates; D005060:Europe; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D011786:Quality Control; D012042:Registries; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014798:Vital Statistics