Citation

Kranioti EF, Kastanaki AE, Nathena D, Papadomanolakis A. Med. Sci. Law 2017; 57(3): 124-129.

Affiliation

Forensic Pathology Division Crete, Hellenic Republic Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, Greece.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, British Academy of Forensic Sciences, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0025802417712179

PMID

28610457

Abstract

Sharp-force trauma is a popular cause of homicide and suicide in many countries. Characterisation of the injuries between the two is crucial for a differential diagnosis. The current paper reviews 12 self-inflicted sharp-force trauma deaths from the island of Crete in Greece. Forensic reports between 1999 and 2015 were collated, and we studied the number and location of injuries, the demographic characteristics of the deceased, the sharp object and the medical history of the deceased. One third of the cases where the forensic reports were available (3/10) involved multiple injuries, and one case involved a combination of stabbing and hanging. Most injuries involved a kitchen knife. Ninety-two per cent (11/12) of the victims involved male Greek nationals aged >50 years. The type and location of injuries were not found to be specific to suicide alone. Thus, death-scene investigation remains crucial to the differential diagnosis between suicide and homicide. This is the first report on self-inflicted sharp-force fatalities in Greece.

Language: en

Keywords

Crete; Greece; Suicides; knife; self-stabbing; sharp-force trauma