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ABSTRACT
We present a case where in a 26 year old hotel management student was accidentally suffocated and died while practicing autoerotic asphyxia. The circumstances suggested that his death was accidental and due to asphyxia by suffocation performed to enhance sexual gratification during masturbation.
Keywords: Autoerotic Asphyxia, Suffocation, Accidental Death
INTRODUCTION
Of the various types of abnormal sexual behaviour, the most dangerous and bizarre is autoerotic asphyxiation, also known as asphyxiophilia, sexual hanging, sexual asphyxia, scarfing, breath control play and terminal sex. It was first used as a treatment for a erectile dysfunction and impotency. The idea for this came from subjects who were executed by hanging. Observers at public hangings noted male victims develop an erection (priapism) and occasionally ejaculated when being hung1.
Transitory anoxia is intentionally induced to enhance sexual arousement produced by masturbation. Such deaths are rare, with the victim virtually always a male. The victim is typically found in a private area, nude or partially nude, sometimes wearing female clothing. There may be erotic literature, sexual paraphernalia or a mirror opposite the individual so that he can observe his actions. This pattern of behaviour is repetitive and there may be evidence that the individual has performed this act numerous times over many years2.
The most common typical mechanism by which sexual arousal is obtained is by constriction of the neck by a ligature. Other less common methods are electrical stimulation of the body, covering the head in a plastic bag, bondage and inhalation of volatile substances3'4. These less common methods are known as atypical autoerotic practices. These are generally thought to be caused by some form of disruption of the normal sexual development during adolescence.
Herein, we report a case of a moderately built and nourished adult male, who was suffocated accidentally while practicing asphyxia using a plastic cover to close his face.
CASE REPORT
The dead body of a 26-year old male was brought for medico legal autopsy. He was found dead partially naked in frog like position with face covered by a plastic bag in his room locked from inside (fig 1 & 2). Pornographic magazine opened to pages of a nude photograph of a female, an empty bottle of whitener and packet containing...