Police Records of Self-Destructive Behavior in Adolescents and Young People

Abstract This study presents an analysis of police records of attempted and/or completed suicides by adolescents and young people in the city of Santa Maria - RS, from 2012 to 2021. Characteristics of the victims and the events recorded were retrieved from police reports, and descriptive statistical analyses were carried out. There was a predominance of victims aged 20-24, male, white, and with completed primary education. Hanging and shooting with a firearm were the most common methods used in suicides, and precipitation was the most common method used in attempts. Most of the events took place in the victims’ homes, where their family members found them. It was possible to identify the presence of depression and drug use in some cases, as well as elements that indicated prior planning and communication of the acts. It should be noted that police records are a mighty resource for receiving victims, learning about cases, and, especially, preventing new occurrences.