Citation

Rupp WR, Thierauf A, Nadjem H, Vogt S. Forensic Sci. Int. 2013; 231(1-3): e30-2.

Affiliation

Institute of Forensic Medicine, Freiburg University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany. Electronic address: wolf.rupp@uniklinik-freiburg.de.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.05.013

PMID

23791381

Abstract

: Suicides by self-poisoning are common in all parts of the world. Among these intoxications, gases are rarely used, especially carbon dioxide (CO2). Very few cases of self-inflicted and deliberate carbon dioxide poisonings have been reported. This paper presents two uncommon suicides by carbon dioxide intoxication. In one case, a 53-year-old man tightly sealed a small bathroom and locked himself in it likely with dry ice. Warning notices were tagged to the door. In another case, a 48-year-old man working in a restaurant committed suicide by closing himself in a walk-in refrigerator and opening the stored carbon dioxide containers intended for the beverage dispensing equipment. The limited possibilities of proving lethal CO2 intoxications post-mortem necessitate a close cooperation of the involved parties during investigation. Only the synopsis of all findings permits a sound assessment regarding the manner and cause of death.

Language: en