Citation

Komar D, Beattie O, Dowling G, Bannach B. J. Can. Soc. Forensic Sci. 1999; 32(2-3): 85-96.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Canadian Society of Forensic Science, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00085030.1999.10757491

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A records survey at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Edmonton, Alberta from 1990 to 1997 reveals outdoor suicidal hangings to be a common occurrence, particularly in rural areas. These isolated settings may result in delayed discovery and decomposed remains. Three case studies are presented involving outdoor hangings with extended postmortem intervals - 5 weeks, 16 months and 10 years, respectively. The last case presented many of the diagnostic elements associated with autoerotic asphyxia and the difficulties of differentiating this accidental manner of death from suicide after 10 years of decay and scene deterioration are discussed.