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Complex Suicide: An Unusual Case with Six Methods Applied
Author(s) -
Petković Stojan,
Maletin Miljen,
ĐurendićBrenesel Maja
Publication year - 2011
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.1556-4029.2011.01821.x
Subject(s) - medicine , homicide , forensic pathology , autopsy , suicide methods , stab , poison control , manner of death , surgery , head and neck , injury prevention , medical emergency , pathology , suicide rates
Complex suicides (CSs) are committed by using more than one method. They account for 1.5–5% of all suicides. We present a case of CSs of a 44‐year‐old man, found dead in the vicinity of his car, in a deserted frozen field. Police investigation excluded homicide, and no medical data confirmed mental illnesses. Autopsy revealed wrist cuts, neck cuts, acid burns in the GI tract, multiple stab wounds to the head by a screwdriver, and several uncertain signs of hypothermia. Toxicology analysis (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry) confirmed ingestion of insecticide. We concluded that stab wounds to the head were the cause of death, while external hemorrhage and hypothermia were contributing factors. This is the first case of CSs reviewed in the literature where six suicide methods were applied. This particular case is interesting because the victim used a screwdriver as a tool for inflicting stab wounds to the head, which is a rare suicidal method.