Interviews with seven survivors of four suicide pact pairs are examined. In the majority of cases the instigator is more likely to be the male member of the pair. Absence of past suicidal behaviour, and some socio-cultural aspects surround the Indian pact member, in comparison with the West. The existing legal provisions relating to criminal liability for complicity in suicide of another person are summarized. The role and attitude of the Indian Penal Code in dealing with suicide pact survivors is discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
CohenJ. (1961) A study of suicide pacts. Med.-leg. J.29, 44.
2.
FishbainD. A.AldrichT. E. (1985) Suicide pacts: international comparisons. J. Clin. Psychiat.46, 11–15.
3.
FishbainD. A.D'AchilliL.BarskyS.AldrichT. E. (1984) A controlled study of suicide pacts. J. Clin. Psychiat.45, 154–7.
4.
NoyesR.FryeS.HartfordC. (1977) Conjugal suicide pact. J. Nerv. Ment. Dis.165, 72–5.
5.
O'HaraK. (1963) Characteristics of suicide in Japan, especially of parent-child double suicide. Am. J. Psychiat.120, 382–5.
6.
Parry-JonesW. L. (1973) Criminal law and complicity in suicide and attempted suicide. Med. Sci. Law13, 110–19.
7.
RosenbaumM. (1983) Crime and punishment: the suicide pact. Arch. Gen. Psychiat.40, 979–82.
8.
SantyP. A. (1982) Observations on double suicide: reviews of the literature and two case reports. Am. J. Psychother.36, 23–31.
9.
SathyavathiK. (1975) Usual and unusual suicide pacts in Bangalore — a report. Indian J. Social Work36, 173–80.
10.
SwartzburyM.SchwartzA.LiebJ. (1972) Dual suicide in homosexuals. J. Nerv. Ment. Dis.155, 125–9.
