Firearm suicide: use of a firearm injury and death surveillance system

Author: Streib, E. W. / Hackworth, J. / Hayward, T. Z. / Jacobson, L. E. / Simons, C. J. / Falimirski, M. E. / O'Neil, J. / Bull, M. J. / Gomez, G. A.
Publication: J Trauma
Topics: Gender Suicide Surveillance/Data Collection
Keywords: EPIDEMIOLOGY Firearm injury
Bibliographic information +

This study describes fatal and nonfatal firearm suicide injuries (FSI) in one metropolitan area from 2002 through 2004 using records on all victims of firearm injuries from hospitals, police, and the coroner. All injuries categorized as suicide were included. Men were FSI victims more than five times as often as women were. There was no seasonal pattern identified. Handguns were used nearly three out of four times. Eighty-six percent of FSI victims died, two-thirds at the scene. Most wounds were in the head or chest. Mental illness or relationship problems were common. Most suicides occurred in a residence.