Suicide by blunt force trauma.
Suicide by self-inflicted blunt force injury is rare. The authors report a case of a 48-year-old man who initially appeared to have died of a homicidal beating. The pertinent autopsy findings consisted of blunt force closed head injury combined with numerous cutaneous abrasions and contusions of the entire body. Further inquiries confirmed a medical history of paranoid schizophrenia and a previous attempt at suicide. This case represents an extreme example of severe blunt trauma sustained during fatal self-mutilation and masquerading as a homicide. It also underscores the importance of correlating a thorough background investigation with autopsy findings in determining the appropriate manner of death.
Hunsaker
Donna M
DM
Department of Pathology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA. stinknlex@aol.com
Thorne
Leigh B
LB
D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012563:Schizophrenia, Paranoid / Q000150:complications; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013405:Suicide; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000473:pathology*