title: An unusual case of suicide by means of a pneumatic hammer.
abstract: We describe an extraordinary case of a 49-year-old man who committed suicide by using a pneumatic hammer. As an industrial accident was initially assumed, difficulties in determining the manner of death are discussed. In addition, the ability to perform activity and evidence of a protracted agony in a situation of extensive cerebral destruction are considered. To our knowledge, no such case of suicide has ever been reported.
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Department of Forensic Medicine, Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: De Letter
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Piette
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D001344:Autopsy; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002423:Cause of Death; D003252:Construction Materials; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D011187:Posture; D012886:Skull / Q000473:pathology; D013405:Suicide