title: Characterization of five cases of suspected bathtub suicide.
abstract: We reviewed five autopsy cases of suspected bathtub suicide. The immediate cause of death in all cases was determined to be drowning on the basis of macropathological findings such as frothy fluid in the airways or overinflation of the lungs as well as histological findings obtained at autopsy. We suspected that the manner of death in those cases was suicide based on comprehensive postmortem investigations of statements from witnesses, the presence of a farewell letter, the fact that clothes had been worn, additional means to ensure suicide, and results of drug tests, as well as autopsy findings. Cases of bathtub suicide should be investigated carefully to distinguish them from accidental or natural death.
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan.
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murayama
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan. Electronic address: y.takahashi@gunma-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Yoichiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan.
authors.forename: Rie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sano
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan.
authors.forename: Kaho
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan.
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan.
authors.forename: Rieko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kubo
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan.
authors.forename: Hikaru
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kuninaka
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kominato
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001344:Autopsy; D004332:Drowning / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013405:Suicide; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Bathtub; Suicide