Forensic Perspectives of Pcos and Adolescent Suicide: A Case Report

Abstract

Suicide is the second cause of death among adolescents worldwide. Besides neurohormonal changes following puberty, a constellation of risk factors such as academic failure, relationship issues, nancial stress, peer pressure, increasing life responsibilities, and family issues stir up suicidal emotions. However, the impact of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and gynecological pathologies are rarely encountered and considered in medicolegal autopsies. We present a case of a 16-year-old adolescent girl who committed suicide by swallowing an organophosphate compound following a minor argument with her sister. At autopsy, besides poisoning, dual pathology of the ovary that includes right polycystic ovary and left ovarian mature cystic teratoma was discovered. The psychophysiological characteristics of PCOS and its prospective association with depression vis-à-vis suicidal tendencies are discussed.