Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine
Volume 16, Issue 4 , Pages 212-214, May 2009

Road traffic suicides

  • J.P. Wyatt, MD (Emergency Physician and Forensic Medical Examiner)

      Affiliations

    • Emergency Department, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3LJ, United Kingdom
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +44 01872 25 3229; fax: +44 01872 25 2402.
    • ,
  • T. Squires, PhD (Forensic Researcher)

      Affiliations

    • Forensic Medicine Unit, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, United Kingdom
    • ,
  • S. Collis, MB ChB (Forensic Researcher)

      Affiliations

    • Forensic Medicine Unit, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, United Kingdom
    • ,
  • R. Broadley, FRCA (Senior House Officer in Emergency Medicine)

      Affiliations

    • Emergency Department, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3LJ, United Kingdom

Received 15 January 2008; received in revised form 24 September 2008; accepted 9 December 2008.

Abstract 

A prospective observational study of fatal road traffic collisions in south-east Scotland between 1993 and 2003 revealed 17 cases (2.8% of all road fatalities) which appeared to be the result of suicide. In all 17 cases the judgement that the death was the result of suicide reflected the combination of a consistent mechanism of injury with supporting background information. The 17 individuals comprised 13 car drivers and four pedestrians. Ten of the individuals had a past history of mental illness. Only three (18%) survived to reach hospital alive. Analysis of the injuries revealed nine individuals to have unsurvivable injuries (defined by Abbreviated Injury Scale of six, Injury Severity Score of 75). The number of road traffic suicides may be generally underestimated. They appear to be difficult to prevent.

Keywords: Road traffic collision, Suicide

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PII: S1752-928X(08)00236-9

doi:10.1016/j.jflm.2008.12.003

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine
Volume 16, Issue 4 , Pages 212-214, May 2009

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