Correlation between suicide and organ weight

Abstract

Human organ weights play a significant role in clinical and forensic settings, as cause of death in suicidal cases may affect organ weight and may be used in the detection of anatomical and pathological abnormalities. : Our study’s aim is to find out a correlation between organ weights and suicide and any variations in organ weight if different method of suicide is used. Present study was conducted in the department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Lady Hardinge Medical College on a total of 50 cases of suicide brought to the mortuary for post-mortem examination. The socio-demographic profile of victims of suicide was analyzed after obtaining the relevant data from the relatives and the accompanying investigating officer. Weights of various internal organs of the body were also measured and any changes in the weight recorded. All the internal organs were weighed using organ weight measuring machine and noted for any change in the weight. Hanging was the most common method (62%), followed by poisoning (24%) and self immolation (10%). The weights of internal organs were increased in majority of cases of suicides. There was a positive correlation between weight of internal organs and cause of death mainly in hanging, poisoning and burns suicidal cases.