Content area

Abstract

The literature contains many case reports of planned and complex suicides, which combine various methods to commit suicide. In this article, we present the anomalous suicide of an adult male by strangulation with a belt and simultaneous ingestion of plaster. The specific circumstances of the case are described and relevant literature is briefly reviewed. This case vignette illustrates one example of the wide ranging methods employed in suicides and may represent the first reported case of a fatal complex suicide involving self-strangulation and plaster ingestion. Knowledge of varied and sometimes unusual suicide methods is important to the forensic investigator to prevent unnecessary criminal investigation and to reliably and confidently establish manner and cause of death.

Details

Title
Planned complex suicide: Self-strangulation and plaster ingestion
Author
Germerott, Tanja; Jaenisch, Stefanie; Hatch, Gary; Albrecht, Urs-Vito; Guenther, Detlef
Pages
e35-e37
Publication year
2010
Publication date
2010
Publisher
Elsevier Limited
e-ISSN
18726283
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
1033338960
Copyright
© 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd