Abstract:

Suicide rate in Costa Rica has being historically fewer than 10 per 100,000 habitants, it is considered lower than other countries. Multiple risk factors such as social (poverty, unemployment, drug addiction) and psychological (depression, grieving) are extremely frequent and can be the cause of rise in these numbers.

This study is an actual analysis of suicide cases in Costa Rica in 2015 and 2016, 318 and 302 cases in each year, and an individual profile was obtained.

Suicide was more frequent in males, in economically active ages, with a higher rate in the age range from 20 to 60 in 2015 and 20 to 50 in 2016. The most common death mechanism was asphyxia caused by strangulation in January, June and December of 2015, January and August in 2016.

Key words: Suicide in Costa Rica; violent death; forensic pathology; strangulation asphyxia