Geographic distribution of suicide and railway suicide in Belgium, 2008-2013: a principal component analysis

This study investigated the geographic distribution of suicide and railway suicide in Belgium over 2008--2013 on local (i.e., district or arrondissement) level. There were differences in the regional distribution of suicide and railway suicides in Belgium over the study period. Principal component analysis identified three groups of correlations among population variables and socio-economic indicators, such as population density, unemployment, and age group distribution, on two components that helped explaining the variance of railway suicide at a local (arrondissement) level. This information is of particular importance to prevent suicides in high-risk areas on the Belgian railway network.

Unusual methods of suicide: complexities in investigation

Differentiation between suicide and homicide often becomes difficult owing to the unusual methods of suicide used by the victim and the complexities thus posed. Investigating the cases of unusual suicides provides a considerable challenge to the authorities concerned. The issue of homicide should often be ruled out in such cases, which require careful evaluation. This is best done by correlating the morbid anatomical findings at autopsy with the death scene analysis coupled with psychological autopsy. Many forensic practitioners have reported unusual methods of suicide at their respective workplaces. Various types of unusual methods of suicide and the complexities involved in their investigation are presented and discussed.

Suicide on railway networks: epidemiology, risk factors and prevention

The aim of the present study was to review international literature on the incidence of suicide on railway networks, describe risk factors associated with it, and examine existing prevention practices. Searches on Medline and PsycINFO for the period 1966-2007 were performed. Thirty original studies published in English on epidemiology of rail suicide were included in the review along with peer-reviewed articles on risk factors and prevention of rail suicide. Internationally, suicide by collision with a train accounted for 1-12% of all suicides, with up to 94% of all attempts resulting in death. Suicide by train seriously affects not only survivors, but also train drivers and bystanders. Correlations between density of rail network, number of passengers and number of suicides by train have been found. Conflicting data exist on gender ratio of this type of suicide, but studies are homogenous in identifying young adults (20-40 year of age) as those most exposed to train suicide. Documented psychiatric diagnoses were found in up to 83% of cases. Mid-seasonal peaks were also identified, with events occurring mostly during late morning and early afternoon. Limited evidence exists for effective suicide prevention practices. Successful examples are represented by pits and sliding door systems (Singapore Mass Rapid Transit System) and responsible media reporting (Viennese Subway). Suicide by train involves emotional and financial costs to individuals and society as a whole. A combination of different strategies might significantly reduce its effect.

Suicidal behaviour by train collision in Queensland, 1990-2004

OBJECTIVE

A study on the incidence of suicide in the train system and a description of main characteristics of victims and attempters was commissioned by Queensland Rail in response to an apparent increase of suicide phenomena and their consequences.

METHODS

Two sources of data were used for the analyses: the Queensland Suicide Register (QSR) and the Queensland Rail Incident Surveillance Information System (ISIS). Data on suicide were cross-checked on the two systems for the years 1990-2004. ISIS provided information on cases of attempted suicide for the period 1993-2206.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixty-one train suicide victims were identified. Globally, they represented 2% of all cases of suicide in Queensland. During the examined period no significant changes in trends of suicide through that method were found. Of all suicide cases, 59 (36.6%) included victims aged 15-24 years. The ratio of male :female was 4:1, equal to the sex distribution of suicide with all methods in Queensland. Positive blood alcohol content was found in nearly 50% of young people and in 29.8% of the total sample. A psychiatric diagnosis was documented in 40.4% of all train suicide victims. Only 18 suicide attempters were identified through the ISIS database; of them, 15 were male and three were female, with a gender ratio similar to that of suicide victims.

CONCLUSIONS

This study involved the largest dataset ever published in Australia on this topic. In Queensland, train suicides presented a stable trend during 1990-2004. Subjects of very young age (15-24) seem to be particularly exposed to this method; in this age group one in two individuals had positive blood alcohol content.

Suicides and other fatalities from train-person collisions on Swedish railroads: a descriptive epidemiologic analysis as a basis for systems-oriented prevention

PROBLEM

Suicide is a dominating, although hidden, safety problem on Swedish railroads. The aim of this paper is to describe the epidemiology of fatal train-person collisions as a basis for systems-oriented prevention.

METHOD

Data on collision circumstances were collected from narrative reports at the Swedish National Rail Administration.

RESULTS

The events were evenly distributed by months and weekdays, however, most suicides occur during the day while unintentional events usually occur at night. Most train-person collisions happened in densely populated areas, and 75% of the suicide victims were waiting on the track before the collision. Significance test between types of injury event (suicide, accident, or unknown intent) showed small or no differences.

CONCLUSION

Traditional approaches to accident prevention by systems modification seem largely applicable to combat railroad suicide as well.

IMPACT ON INDUSTRY

Our findings show promising preventive potentials.