Citation

Solarino B, Buschmann CT, Tsokos M. Rom. J. Leg. Med. 2011; 19(3): 161-166.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Romanian Legal Medicine Society)

DOI

10.4323/rjlm.2011.161

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Fatalities resulting from sharp force injuries may be of accidental, homicidal or suicidal origin. Cut-throat and cut-stab wounds are "effective" in homicidal attacks with sharp objects, e. g. knifes, while accidental injuries in this topographic region caused by sharp objects are rarely seen and most often caused by broken glass. Self-inflicted cut throat and stab wounds are uncommon but nevertheless a well recognized method of suicide. In these cases, presence or absence of particular features (e.g., hesitation marks, defensive wounds) can allow distinction between suicide and homicide, especially if further circumstances, i.e. atypical crime scene scenarios or missing suicide notes, need the forensic pathologist to have an incredulous approach regarding the manner of death. The present article describes three cases of suicidal cut throat and stab wounds - crime scene investigations as well as medical history and autopsy findings are discussed. © 2011 Romanian Society of Legal Medicine.

Language: en

Keywords

crime; adult; human; suicide; Suicide; Autopsy; female; autopsy; case report; cannabis; suicidal ideation; police; cause of death; major depression; heart failure; disease severity; intoxication; forensic pathology; Forensic pathology; article; stab wound; behavior disorder; cannabis addiction; fatality; disorientation; neck injury; paranoid psychosis; withdrawal syndrome; penetrating trauma; hemorrhagic shock; neck dissection; knife cut; wrist injury; blood analysis; sternocleidomastoid muscle; clothing; body posture; dronabinol; hair analysis; Stab wound; soft tissue defect; carotid artery; Sharp force injuries; air embolism; cerebral air embolism; Cut-throat; external jugular vein; right carotid commune artery; skin maceration; suicidal cut throat