Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine
Year : 2023, Volume : 45, Issue : 3
First page : ( 211) Last page : ( 215)
Print ISSN : 0971-0973. Online ISSN : 0974-0848.
Article DOI : 10.48165/jiafm.2023.45.3.2

A prospective study of socioeconomic status by modified Kuppuswamy scale in cases of suicidal deaths: An autopsy based analysis

Karmakar SN^*

Professor and Head, Department of Forensic Medicine, Terna Medical College, Nerul, Navi Mumbai

^*Corresponding Author Dr. Shibanand Nepal Karmakar, Email : shivanandkarmakardr@gmail.com, Mobile No. : +91-9766159176

Online published on 16 November, 2023.

Abstract

Out of the various determinants which leads a person to commit suicide the Socioeconomic status (SES) of a person is very important. The combined total of economic and sociological measure of a persons work experience and of an individual family's economic access to resources and social position in relation to others is termed as Socioeconomic status (SES). Several scales have been proposed and reported to evaluate the socioeconomic classes of families of which the modified Kuppuswamy scale is most commonly used. The present study aims to study in details the various components of Socioeconomic status (SES) in cases coming for autopsy of suicidal manner at a tertiary care centre. The cases of suicidal manners were studied prospectively for a period of eight months from July 2020 to February 2021. A total 53 cases of suicidal deaths were included and studied. Skilled Agricultural & Fishery Workers were the commonest occupational group in cases of suicidal deaths. Intermediate or post high school diploma educated, Middle school certificate educated and Graduates education group formed majority of suicidal cases. Most of the cases had monthly family income upto Rs 74,755. Almost all the suicidal cases were in middle Socioeconomic class and upper lower Socioeconomic class groups. A detailed analysis of various factors of Socioeconomic status of suicidal cases can help to target necessary interventions in such target groups so that such cases of suicide can be avoided.

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Keywords

Forensic science, Suicide, Hanging, Socioeconomic status, Modified kuppuswamy scale.

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