Death caused by a chain saw--homicide, suicide or accident? A case report with a literature review (with 11 illustrations).
A 31-year-old farm worker was found dead beside a chain saw. Based on the testimony of a colleague and because of the situation at the site, the police very soon presupposed an accident. It was assumed that the victim had slipped on the sudden ground and had been killed by the subsequent swerving of the saw when starting the engine. The body presented with a deep lacerated wound at the right side of the nape of the neck, including the first cervical vertebra, the medullary canal and the right mandible as well as multiple fissures of the occipital bone, which were attributed to repeated forceful use of the chain by another person. A second wound with relatively sharp edges and a tangential fissure in the corresponding area of the skull raised the suspicion that an axe or some similar device had been used. Although the forensic medical findings seemed to give clear evidence of external violence, no further investigations have been carried out so far by the authorities.
Reuhl
J
J
Center of Forensic Medicine, University of Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Bratzke
H
H
D000059:Accidents; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D013405:Suicide