Public Health releases 2004 Medical Examiner's annual report on deaths in King County

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Today, Public Health - Seattle & King County's Medical Examiner's Office released its annual report on investigated deaths and death trends in 2004. Of the 1,863 deaths investigated by the Medical Examiner, there were 76 homicides, 192 fatal traffic crashes, 542 other kinds of fatal accidents (injuries), 229 suicides and 278 drug/poison deaths.

"The King County Medical Examiner's Office provides an important service to our residents and offers us insight into ways to prevent deaths and improve the health of our community," said King County Executive Ron Sims.

"The Medical Examiner investigates all sudden, unexpected, suspicious and violent deaths," said Dorothy Teeter, Interim Director and Health Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County. "We want to prevent early and unintentional deaths by better understanding the circumstances and risk factors that lead to deaths."

"Our staff offers countless hours of time to grieving family members who want to understand exactly how and why their loved one died, which is important for closure," said Dr. Richard Harruff, Chief Medical Examiner. "These investigations also assist families in finding closure by expediting settlement of insurance claims and estates and by assuring that appropriate criminal and civil actions are taken."

The full report is available online at: www.kingcounty.gov/health/examiner. All deaths investigated by the Medical Examiner occurred in King County, including deaths where the incident leading to the death occurred outside of King County. In such cases, the injured person most often was transported to a hospital in King County, where the death occurred. The Medical Examiner does not investigate deaths of King County residents who die in another county.

Of all King County deaths (12,648) in 2004, 7,872 or 62% were reported to the Medical Examiner. Based on review of the circumstances surrounding the death, the Medical Examiner investigated 1,863 of these reported deaths.

Some key findings in the death investigations:

• 229 suicides. Ninety-five (42%) of the suicides were by the use of firearms. Forty-four (19%) were due to hanging, and 41 (18%) were due to drugs/poisons. There were 8 suicides of youths 19 years of age and younger.
  
  In order to reduce the incidence of youth and adult suicides, Public Health recommends educating parents, peers, children of elderly parents, and professionals that care and provide services for children and the elderly about the warning signs of suicide and available resources. Public Health is a partner in the LOKITUP Campaign, and the campaign partners recommend storing all firearms locked and unloaded to help reduce suicide risk, particularly among youth.
  
  
• 278 drug-caused deaths in 2004, compared to 220 in 2003.
  
  Deaths involving prescription opiates account for much of the increase between 2003 and 2004.  The Medical Examiner is currently conducting an enhanced review of deaths involving prescription opiates to assess sources, formulations, use patterns and possible motivations for taking prescription opiates among decedents.  Results of the enhanced review will be presented to the King County Board of Health in 2006.  Deaths involving heroin appear to have stabilized.
  
  
• 76 homicides. Sixty-six of the homicides were the result of incidents that occurred within King County. In comparison, 2003 had 93 homicides. Of the 76 homicides in 2004, forty-six (61%) of the homicides were due to the use of firearms.
  
  
• 192 fatal traffic crashes, either motor vehicles, motorcycles, pedestrians, or bicycle riders; 127 deaths were due to traffic crashes in King County . In 2003, there were 112 deaths due to crashes in King County . Of motor vehicle occupants killed, 78 were drivers. Of cases in which restraint status was known, 37% of drivers in vehicle deaths were not restrained. There were 30 pedestrians among the 192 fatal traffic deaths in 2004.
  
  The King County Traffic Safety Coalition, a multi-agency group spearheaded by Public Health's Violence & Injury Prevention Unit, works to alleviate the leading causes of traffic fatalities. These causes include speed, intoxication, and failure to wear seat belts. Coalition efforts include organizing interagency DUI (driving under the influence) emphasis patrols, and increasing public awareness of traffic safety issues. In January 2006, Public Health will convene a county-wide summit to look into reducing pedestrian fatalities and injuries.
  
  
• 542 other kinds of fatal accidents or unintentional injuries. One hundred and two of these cases were the result of incidents that occurred outside of King County . The most common cause of accidental death was falls (213); 171 of these deaths caused by falls occurred in the age group 70 years and over. The next most common cause of accidental death was drugs and poisons (211). Drowning (17) and burns (24) were also common causes of unintentional injuries.
  
  Public Health's Emergency Medical Services Division and local fire departments work to reduce seniors falling in the home, which can result in fractures that subsequently lead to fatal health complications while convalescing. It is especially important that those who work with seniors and seniors themselves recognize that fall-related risks increase with age.
  
  Also, Public Health's Violence & Injury Prevention Unit chairs the Seattle-King County Drowning Prevention Coalition. The Coalition uses a multi-faceted approach to prevent drowning deaths. They promote these primary messages: know the water, know your limits, and wear a lifejacket when wading, swimming or boating in or around open water. The coalition also recommends diligent supervision of children around all water, swimming at lifeguarded pools and beaches, and appropriate fencing of all swimming pools.

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