Citation

Geisenberger D, Pollak S, Thierauf-Emberger A. Forensic Sci. Int. 2019; 298: 419-423.

Affiliation

Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Albertstraße 9, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.02.037

PMID

30904183

Abstract

In many countries, hanging is the most common suicide method. When a person is found hanged however, one always has to consider that the alleged suicide scene possibly covers up a homicide. In such cases, hanging may have been the actual method of killing or the victim may have been harmed by a different method and was subsequently hanged. Apart from the inspection of the scene, the autopsy findings are of great importance to differentiate between suicide and homicide. Up to now, a considerable number of cases have been observed in which suicide by hanging was wrongly assumed at first. In the case presented, there were some facts raising doubts about a suicidal act already at scene. Nevertheless the forensic pathologists erroneously assumed that the findings on the corpse were consistent with suicide. The later elucidation of the case as a homicide by manual strangulation with subsequent suspension of the victim was essentially based on a new assessment of the autopsy findings in a second opinion.

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

Language: en

Keywords

Delayed elucidation of a homicide; Manual strangulation; Misinterpretation of autopsy findings; Post mortem suspension; Simulated suicide