title: Analysis of Suicide Notes: An experience in Eskişehir City.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is estimated that a million people around the world die by suicide each year. It has been reported that a note was left in 5%-43% of the suicides. In this study, it we aimed to evaluate and discuss suicide notes in our city which is situated in Western Anatolia and where several universities are located.
  
  
  METHODS
  All forensic deaths in Eskişehir in 10-year period between 2001 and 2011 were evaluated. Forensic investigation files were assessed. After investigation, Out of 399 cases, 168 (42.1%) cases, who were determined to have left a suicide letter, telephone message (sms) or message via social network sites, were included in the scope of the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that 95 (56.5%) of all cases had left a suicide letter, 69 (41.1%) cases had sent a telephone message to a person or more than one person, 4 (2.4%) cases had written notes about suicide and death in social networking sites.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A suicide note is an important finding in suicide cases to clarify the case. However, the note should be confirmed by investigation to be accepted as evidence.
authors.affiliation: Forensic Medicine Institution, Eskişehir Branch Office, Eskişehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kenan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karbeyaz
authors.affiliation: Forensic Medicine Institution Presidency, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Harun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Akkaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Faculty of Medicine, Muğla, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yasemin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Balci
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Eskişehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Beyza
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Urazel
keywords: Suicide; forensic psychiatry; letter