Factors associated with autopsy rates in a 6-year sample of Danish suicides in the Capital area of Copenhagen

A forensic autopsy can give more precise information on suicide methods, the impact of fatal lesions and comorbidity. Our study results showed that violent methods of suicidal death and psychiatric comorbidity led to a lower forensic autopsy rate. A higher autopsy rate would enable more thorough study and investigation of suicides, which would benefit the next-of-kin, general preventive procedures, and treatment of patients at risk of suicide.