title: Suicide by self-strangulation whilst under observation.
abstract: Two cases are reported of individuals who committed suicide after they had been identified as being acutely at risk of killing themselves. Self-strangulation by a ligature fashioned from the subjects' clothes was the mechanism of suicide in both cases. One death occurred in a police station and the other on an acute psychiatric ward. These cases highlight the need for those formulating policies concerning the supervision of the suicidal individual to pay attention to the minutiae of detail. In particular, a case is made for those at risk of suicide to be prevented from sleeping with their head covered by blankets.
authors.affiliation: Reaside Clinic, Birmingham.
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Whittington
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011330:Prisons / Q000458:organization & administration; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D012308:Risk Management; D000092864:Suicide Prevention