Open verdict v. suicide - importance to research

'Suicide should never be presumed, but must always be based on some evidence that the deceased intended to take his own life.' When this is not the case, an open (undetermined) or accidental verdict is returned. Open verdicts are often included in with suicides for research purposes and for setting health targets. Aimed to examine similarities and differences in cases defined by the coroner as suicide and open verdicts and the implications of open verdicts for suicide research. (Original abstract - amended)