[Homicide by hypothermia].
Death due to hypothermia is normally accidental. Homicides by hypothermia are rare and have been observed especially in cases of abandonment of newborns as a method of infanticide and formerly in criminal experiments on humans in the Dachau concentration camp. 3 deaths due to hypothermia are reported, among them two cases of homicide. Intentional killing by hypothermia is rightly classified as murder as it fulfils the criterion of cruelty.
Institut für Rechtsmedizin der Universität Bonn.
Burkhard
B
Madea
Christian
C
Rittner
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005858:Germany; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000473:pathology*; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000473:pathology*