title: Self-Strangulation Through A Sphygmomanometer: An Uncommon Suicide.
abstract: Suicide by asphyxia is quite a common event in forensic practice and may be implemented in different ways. The authors report a unique case of a 16-year-old youth who committed suicide by means of a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. This manner of suicide has never been described in the literature reviewed. A complete forensic investigation led to the conclusion that the cause of death was mechanical asphyxia, ascribed to self-strangulation by means of an atypical item. The victim suffered from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) syndrome and was assisted by support teachers. He had a solitary and depressive personality. The exceptional nature of this case suggests that sphygmomanometers may be regarded as possible means of self-strangulation. The case also highlights the importance of managing patients with psychiatric or cognitive disorders; indeed, particular caution is required to keep them away from objects that, although apparently harmless, can become lethal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, University of Genova, Via De Toni 12, Genova, 16132, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lo Pinto
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, University of Genova, Via De Toni 12, Genova, 16132, Italy.
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tacchella
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, University of Genova, Via De Toni 12, Genova, 16132, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fossati
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, University of Genova, Via De Toni 12, Genova, 16132, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bonsignore
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, University of Genova, Via De Toni 12, Genova, 16132, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ventura
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D019722:Sphygmomanometers; D013405:Suicide
keywords: ADHD syndrome; forensic pathology; forensic science; self-strangulation; sphygmomanometer; uncommon suicide method