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Citation
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Ben Amar W, Feki N, Zribi M, Maatoug M, Maatoug A, Hammami Z, Maatoug S. J. Med. Leg. Droit Med. 2017; 60(2): 43-48. |
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Abstract
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High voltage electrocution is a relatively scarce mode of suicide which is surprising in view of the availability of means. Indeed, only a few cases are reported in the forensic literature.
OBJECTIVE: To identify the risk factors of suicide by high voltage, its features and to highlight the huge role of the media coverage in raising the prevalence of this way of suicide.
METHODS: Retrospective study, based on the autopsy records of all suicidal high voltage electrocution cases conducted over a period of eight years: from January 2007 to December 2015 at the forensic unit of Habib Bourguiba Sfax.
RESULTS: A total of 7 suicidal deaths from high voltage electrocution occurred between 2007 to 2015, representing 0,7% of all cases of suicide. The distribution was uneven depending on the year. In fact, in 2007, 3 cases were recorded in the same month. All the vic-tims were single and young. The average age ofvictims was 22, 28 years. Males prevailed. More than half of them were unemployed, living in rural areas (4 vic-tims). In two cases, a history of mental disorder was found. However, no case of previous attempted suicide was mentioned. The autopsy allowed us to identify in all cases the association between extensive electric burns and important traumatic injuries contributing together to death.
CONCLUSION: Suicide by high voltage electrocution in Tunisia is becoming an increasing problem in the last years. It occurs in young age groups and the victims are typically men. The springing of the number of suicide is due to the role of media coverage Proper preventive strategies to minimize such negative influence of media reporting must be implemented. © 2017, Editions Alexandre Lacassagne. All rights reserved.
Language: en |