Citation

Smędra A, Szustowski S, Jurczyk AP, Klemm J, Szram S, Berent J. Arch. Med. Sadowej Kryminol. 2015; 65(1): 37-46.

Affiliation

Anna Smędra, Chair and Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Sędziowska 18 A 91-304 Lodz, Poland, e-mail: karolanka@wp.pl.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Polish Forensic Medicine Society)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

26007160

Abstract

Helium is one of inert gases causing physical asphyxiation, whose excess content in the breathing atmosphere reduces the partial pressure of oxygen and may be fatal after short-term exposure. When breathing a mixture of an inert gas (helium, nitrogen, argon) with a small amount of oxygen, with the possibility of exhaling carbon dioxide, no warning signs characteristic of suffocation are perceived by the subject. Freedom from discomfort and pain, effectiveness, rapid effect and relatively easy availability of required accessories have resulted in the use of inert gases for suicidal purposes. The paper reports two cases of suicide committed by using a special kit consisting of the so-called "suicide bag" (or "exit bag") filled with helium supplied through a plastic tube. In both cases, examination of the sites where the corpses were found and analysis of collected material allowed to establish that before their death the subjects had searched the Internet for instructions on how to commit suicide using helium. Due to the advanced putrefaction process, the autopsies failed to determine the causes of their death unequivocally. However, the circumstances surrounding the deaths suggested rapid asphyxiation as a result of oxygen deficiency in the breathing mixture. Since in cases of the type discussed here the cause of death cannot generally be established by autopsy, knowledge of the circumstances of disclosure of the corpse, as well as examination of the cadaver and the death scene is of utmost importance.

Language: en