Premium
Suicidal Decapitation Using a Tractor Loader: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Author(s) -
Racette Stéphanie,
Vo Truong Tho,
Sauvageau Anny
Publication year - 2007
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/j.1556-4029.2006.00312.x
Subject(s) - loader , context (archaeology) , poison control , medicine , surgery , anatomy , engineering , medical emergency , history , mechanical engineering , archaeology
In forensic practice, decapitated bodies are predominantly associated with decapitation by wheels of trains or with postmortem dismemberment following homicide. In the suicidal context, decapitation accounts for less than 1% of total suicide. Apart from decapitation by trains, other encountered methods involve suicidal hanging and vehicle‐assisted ligature suicide. Reported here is a unique case of suicidal decapitation in a 45‐year‐old man using a tractor loader at the foot of a silo, on his farm. The head was recovered in the loader and there were several impact spots from the loader as well as blood on the silo wall. The autopsy revealed a complete decapitation wound with the severance plane located between the third and fourth cervical vertebra. A 1.5 cm wide abrasion on the anterior part of the neck and abrasions under the chin were noted. This very unique case of intentional suicidal decapitation is the first reported case of a planned system intended to create decapitation outside the unique case of homemade guillotine and the more common decapitation by train.