title: Sharp force fatalities: suicide, homicide or accident? A series of 21 cases.
abstract: Cases at study comprise 21 sharp force fatalities (9 suicides--7 m and 2 f; 8 homicides--5 m and 3 f; 2 accidental deaths--1 m and 1 f; 2 uncertain cases--2 m), examined from 1993 to 2002. Suicide age range was 17-75 years, mean 42.4; in seven cases the age was upper 40. Scene of death was at home in six cases, at open place in two, during hospitalisation in one. Incised wounds were pre-eminent in suicides. Homicides showed multiple stab wounds. The two accidents were caused by "glassing". Uncertain cases were a small stab wound to the chest and an eviration.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Medicina Legale, Università di Udine, Via Pracchiuso 14/b, 33100 Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Mazzolo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Desinan
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents; D000368:Aged; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D005898:Glass; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000473:pathology; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013405:Suicide; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000473:pathology*