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Planned Complex Suicide: An Unusual Case
Author(s) -
PélissierAlicot AnneLaure,
Gavaudan Gilles,
Bartoli Christophe,
Kintz Pascal,
PiercecchiMarti MarieDominique,
Desfeux Jacques,
Leonetti Georges
Publication year - 2008
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.1556-4029.2008.00754.x
Subject(s) - putrefaction , electrocution , autopsy , medicine , poison control , dead body , manner of death , medical emergency , surgery , injury prevention , pathology , history , archaeology
We report an unusual case of planned complex suicide. The victim was a woman aged 67 years, who was found dead in her bath in a state of advanced putrefaction. A plugged‐in hairdryer was submerged in the water and the electrical fuses in the room had short‐circuited. A kitchen knife lay below the body of the victim, whose left forearm bore incisions suggestive of wrist‐cutting. At autopsy, no sign suggesting electrocution could be observed because of the advanced state of putrefaction of the body. Toxicological analysis revealed massive ingestion of tianeptine (blood concentration 15.5 mg/L). Although the exact cause of death could not be determined because of the state of the corpse, meticulous examination of the scene and information obtained from the victim’s relatives led to the conclusion of suicide.