Citation

Matei V, Matusz P, Luta V, Enache A. Rom. J. Leg. Med. 1995; 3(4): 401-405.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Romanian Legal Medicine Society)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The paper present an unusual case of suicide in detention with a sharp instrument. We have taken in consideration all the specific elements of the case, such as: age, origin, offence committed, circumstances, infraction record. We gave special importance to making evident any pathological record, organic or psychiatric, that could be involved in unleashing the self-destructive behaviour and/or act. We initiated an attempt to sketch the suicidal individual's personality and also the motivation of the auto-aggressive act, by performing a 'psychological autopsy'. Simultaneously we analysed the macroscopic results of the medico-legal autopsy, establishing the cause and the mechanisms of death. It has also been taken in consideration the possibility of the lesions being hetero-induced-which presumed the performing of a differential diagnosis. Finally we tried to sketch some ideas concerning a prevention strategy for the suicidal demeanour which requires special efforts from each institution and person involved efforts that could help in understanding and, implicitly fighting this struggle fot the choice of life versus death.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; suicide; male; case report; article; automutilation; detention; self-destructive behaviour; sharp instrument