title: ["Self-asphyxia"--a forensic medicine-criminal challenge].
abstract: In judicial and police circles - sometimes even in circles of medical professionals - it is still often thought that suicidal strangulation by ligature is impossible. Reviewing the forensic literature we could find more than 200 cases that have been published earlier. We report another 4 cases of suicidal strangulation. The main problems of criminalists and medical examiners in such cases are discussed. Primary investigation of the corpse in original position by a forensic scientist is of high importance.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Gerichtliche Medizin, Kantonsspitals St Gallen.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rabl
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Markwalder
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sigrist
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000473:pathology*; D001344:Autopsy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013405:Suicide / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
vernacular_title: Die Untersuchung des "Selbsterdrosselns"--eine gerichtsmedizinisch-kriminalistische Herausforderung.