Citation

Zindler K, Grellner W. Forensic Sci. Int. 2019; 296: 53-56.

Affiliation

Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Straße 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.01.018

PMID

30690251

Abstract

Killings of human beings involving animals have rarely been described in the forensic literature. In the present case, the decapitated corpse of a woman as well as the decapitated, castrated and partially disemboweled corpse of a dog were found together. Both bodies also exhibited analogous, distributed massive sharp-force traumas. The approximately same pattern of actions as well as findings consistent with an exaggerated killing are particularly noteworthy. The perpetrator was found to be the son of the victim and had long exhibited psychological abnormalities. He was acquitted of the charge of manslaughter due to mental incapacity and was subsequently placed in a psychiatric hospital.

Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Animal; Decapitation; Homicide; Overkill