Citation

Turillazzi E, D'Errico S, Neri M, Fineschi V. Am. J. Forensic Med. Pathol. 2006; 27(2): 166-168.

Affiliation

From the Institute of Forensic Pathology, University of Foggia, Policlinico Ospedali Riuniti, Foggia, Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/01.paf.0000188088.11626.cd

PMID

16738438

Abstract

A very unusual homicide of 2 children by smothering and strangulation by means of a rubber adhesive band carried out by the mother who committed suicide by the same manner is presented. Smothering is supposed to be one major cause of death in child homicide. Suicide by smothering is relatively uncommon. Suicidal smothering by winding strips of adhesive tape around the head to cover the nose and mouth is an even rarer method recently described in literature. The circumstances of the crime and the macroscopic and microscopic evidence are discussed to reduce the potential for underdiagnoses or mistakes in such cases in which it may be difficult to establish whether suicide or homicide occurred.

Language: en