Characteristic features of deaths due to decapitation.
Deaths due to decapitation are rare in civilian populations. A study in South Australia over 17 years from January 1986 to December 2002 revealed 20 cases (age range, 14 to 72 years; average, 30.7 years; male to female ratio, 15:5). There were 13 suicides consisting of 11 train-related deaths (age range, 14 to 72 years; average, 31.3 years; male to female ratio, 10:1), 1 hanging death, and 1 death using a ligature and a motor vehicle. Five cases related to motor vehicle crashes (age range, 19 to 46 years; average, 30.2 years; male to female ratio, 1:4) and 2 were associated with industrial trauma. Suicidal decapitation accounted for <1% of total suicides and showed a striking male predominance, with the favored method involving trains.
Byard
Roger W
RW
Forensic Science Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. byard.roger@saugov.as.gov.au
Gilbert
John D
JD
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000401:mortality; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data