From approximately 15,000 consecutive medicolegal autopsies, a series of 764 completed ‘suicides’ has been collected and studied. When analysed, this series revealed three principal types of self-destruction and the important difference between ‘attempted’ and ‘completed’ suicide. Motivation for suicide, medical treatment, family relationship, and alcohol have also been discussed. Still further, while the Registrar-General's figures reveal a considerable reduction in the rate of suicide at a time when it has been escalating—these ‘missed suicides’ are fully explored.
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