Forensic Pathology and Determination of Manner of Death in Suicide Cases in Lagos Metropolis

The forensic differentiation between suicide, homicide, and accidental death is among the most consequential responsibilities of forensic pathology, with significant implications for criminal prosecution, insurance claims, and public health statistics. This study examines forensic pathological findings and manner-of-death determinations in suspected suicide cases handled by the Lagos State Government Forensic Science Laboratory between 2020 and 2024. A retrospective case study design was used, reviewing forty autopsy reports and supplementary investigation files. The study analyses the pathological features documented, the investigative protocols used to support manner-of-death classifications, and the consistency of findings with international forensic standards. Results reveal that hanging and poisoning accounted for eighty percent of confirmed suicides, with a disproportionate representation of young adults between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five. Forensic investigation inadequacies were identified in twenty-five percent of cases, including insufficient scene documentation and failure to obtain comprehensive toxicological screens. The study further identifies gender and socioeconomic patterns in suicide incidence within the Lagos metropolitan area. Recommendations include the development of a standardised suicide scene investigation protocol and the establishment of a forensic-mental health collaborative unit within the Lagos State forensic laboratory. Keywords: forensic pathology, suicide, manner of death, Lagos State, autopsy.