Asphyxiation by occlusion of nose and mouth by duct tape: two unusual suicides.
The most recent U.S. statistics (2005) determined that 22.2% of suicides are by suffocation. This number likely includes suicidal hanging. Based on previous reports the majority of nonhanging suicidal asphyxiations are accomplished by securing a plastic bag over the head. We report two instances of a far less common method of suicidal asphyxiation, occlusion of the nose and mouth by duct tape. One was a 47-year-old man with a history of paranoid schizophrenia with suicidal ideation and the other was a 52-year-old man who was depressed due to gambling debts. The value of scene investigation, including review of available video surveillance to determine the manner of death is highlighted.
deRoux
Stephen
S
New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner and Department of Forensic Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA. sderoux@ocme.nyc.gov
Leffers
Beverly
B
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000209:etiology*; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth; D009666:Nose; D013405:Suicide