Autopsy audit of intentional burns inflicted by self or by others in north India-5 year snapshot

• One million people die annually due to suicides and homicides alone.
• Study on 1393 consecutive admissions of burn deaths to the mortuary over a period of 5 years.
• Female predominance was seen in both suicidal and homicidal deaths.
• Suicidal burning was observed in (857) 61.5% cases followed by homicidal (536) 38.5%.

ObjectiveThe incidence of suicide and homicide is on the increase worldwide, including India. One million people die annually due to suicides and homicides alone. Thus this study had been undertaken to find out the material and social causes of burn and to assess the socio-demographic characteristics between suicide and homicide.MethodsThis retrospective study was carried out on 1393 fatal burn cases (2008–2012) who were autopsied at the mortuary of King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India. Data retrieved include: age, sex, type of family, marital status, place of incidence, psychological status and burn size (TBSA). The results were presented in Mean ± SD and percentages and analyzed with SPSS 16.0.ResultsOut of the total 1369 cases of burns, 536 cases (38.5%) were homicidal deaths in comparison to 857 cases (61.5%) of suicidal deaths. Female predominance was seen in both suicidal and homicidal deaths with peak age 30–39 years in suicides in contrast to 40–49 years in homicides. At younger age ≤19 years, the victims of suicide is almost similar to the victims of homicide; but at extremes of ages below 10 years and above 60 years, homicides were relatively more common than suicides. Married victims were predominant in the homicidal group (66.6%). There is no quite difference at the place where burn occurs. Depression and anxiety disorders were the most frequent psychiatric co-morbidities associated with suicidal behaviours. Patients from suicidal group suffered significantly larger burns than from homicidal group.ConclusionHence, this study was planned with a purpose to know the magnitude and the socio-cultural factors of the problem of burns to more clearly understand the dynamics surrounding these deaths, so that a sound prevention programme could be suggested, planned and implemented for reducing the incidence of fatal burns.