Citation

Gilson T, Parks BO, Porterfield CM. Am. J. Forensic Med. Pathol. 2003; 24(3): 306-308.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/01.paf.0000083363.24591.5d

PMID

12960671

Abstract

Suicide by asphyxiation with a plastic bag placed over the head is a method that has been advocated by right-to-die groups. Recently, such groups have proposed the introduction of helium into the plastic bag as a means of hastening death. Helium is readily available at toy stores, where it is sold in tanks for balloon inflation. It produces asphyxiation by the exclusion of oxygen in enclosed spaces. We report 7 fatalities throughout an 18-month period involving plastic bag suffocation in conjunction with helium use. These fatalities coincide with publication of an update to a popular right-to-die text in which this method is described. Although right-to-die literature was absent from all scenes, this method was not previously observed in our jurisdiction, and the deaths likely reflect exposure to this information. Because of analytical difficulties in testing for helium in biologic specimens, death certification rests on scene investigation.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Asphyxia; Death and Euthanasia; Female; Final Exit (Humphry, D.); Helium; Humans; Male; Methods; Plastics; Reference Books; Right to Die; Suicide