Abstract
BackgroundPrior to the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq in 1990, suicides were almost unheard of in Kuwait. However, there has been a notable increase in the referrals of suicide cases to the forensic authorities since then. A review of suicide cases was performed to investigate the demographics of this phenomenon and the suicide modalities used and to uncover issues that can be addressed by the region's government.MethodsThe sole source of data was the general department of criminal evidence (GDCE), where cases are referred by police authorities and by hospital investigators from the entire country. All cases signed out by forensic investigators as “suicide” during the time period 2003–2009 were retrieved. A full review of the data from the case files was made. This included demographic data, scene examination, radiographic investigations, autopsies with histo-pathological examination findings and toxicological screening results in each case.ResultsA total of 347 cases were retrieved and studied. Hanging was found to be the most common suicide modality used by subjects (60 %). Non-citizens constituted 87 % of cases, and no significant difference was found between married and single subjects or between Muslims and non-Muslims. Regions that were more populated with an expatriate labour force had the highest suicide prevalence.ConclusionThe government of Kuwait needs to investigate the dire conditions in which some expatriates live and to improve their situation. More control over the dispensing of certain medications needs to be enforced. Finally, strict firearm control could help reduce the suicide rates in Kuwait.
Highlights
Prior to the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq in 1990, suicides were almost unheard of in Kuwait
Complete forensic examinations are performed; these routinely include an initial scene investigation, external and internal post-mortem examinations, and toxicological and microscopic histologic studies. All findings from these examinations are reported to the criminal evidence sector in the Forensic Medicine Department (FMD) of the general department of criminal evidence (GDCE)
This study aimed to investigate the patterns of suicide in Kuwait, one of the Arabian Gulf States, which incorporates a wide variety of multi-ethnic communities
Summary
Prior to the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq in 1990, suicides were almost unheard of in Kuwait. There has been a notable increase in the referrals of suicide cases to the forensic authorities since . A review of suicide cases was performed to investigate the demographics of this phenomenon and the suicide modalities used and to uncover issues that can be addressed by the region's government. Complete forensic examinations are performed; these routinely include an initial scene investigation, external and internal post-mortem examinations, and toxicological and microscopic histologic studies. All findings from these examinations are reported to the criminal evidence sector in the Forensic Medicine Department (FMD) of the GDCE. The authors noted an increase in the incidence of suicide as reported
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