title: Unplanned complex suicide by self-strangulation associated with multiple sharp force injuries: a case report.
abstract: In cases of ligature strangulation, the importance of distinguishing self-inflicted death from homicide is crucial. This entails objective scene investigation, autopsy and anamnesis in order to elucidate the manner of death correctly. The authors report a case of unplanned complex suicide by means of self-strangulation and multiple sharp force injury. The use of more than one suicide method, consecutively--termed unplanned complex suicide--gives this case particular significance. A brief discussion on this uncommon method of suicide is presented, particularly relevant to the attending forensic physician. In addition, a short overview of the entity of complex suicide is given.
authors.affiliation: Institut Universitaire de Médecine Légale, 9 avenue de Champel, 1211 Genève. Cristian.Palmiere@hcuge.ch
authors.forename: Cristian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palmiere
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Risso
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: van Hecke
authors.forename: Romano
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: La Harpe
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D013405:Suicide; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology