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Self‐Strangulation Through A Sphygmomanometer: An Uncommon Suicide
Author(s) -
Lo Pinto Sara,
Tacchella Tiziana,
Fossati Francesca,
Bonsignore Alessandro,
Ventura Francesco
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.13278
Subject(s) - medical emergency , sphygmomanometer , suicide prevention , poison control , medicine , injury prevention , occupational safety and health , human factors and ergonomics , emergency medicine , forensic engineering , engineering , blood pressure , pathology
Suicide by asphyxia is quite a common event in forensic practice and may be implemented in different ways. The authors report a unique case of a 16‐year‐old youth who committed suicide by means of a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. This manner of suicide has never been described in the literature reviewed. A complete forensic investigation led to the conclusion that the cause of death was mechanical asphyxia, ascribed to self‐strangulation by means of an atypical item. The victim suffered from attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) syndrome and was assisted by support teachers. He had a solitary and depressive personality. The exceptional nature of this case suggests that sphygmomanometers may be regarded as possible means of self‐strangulation. The case also highlights the importance of managing patients with psychiatric or cognitive disorders; indeed, particular caution is required to keep them away from objects that, although apparently harmless, can become lethal.