Complex Suicide by Self‐stabbing and Drowning: A Case Report and a Review of Literature. Issue 2 (29th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peyron, Pierre‐Antoine; Casper, Thierry; Mathieu, Olivier; Musizzano, Yuri; Baccino, Eric
• Is Part Of: Journal of forensic sciences. Volume 63:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 598
• Page End: 601
• Publication Date: 2017-06-29
• Subjects: forensic science -- forensic pathology -- complex suicide -- stab wounds -- drowning -- manner of death -- autopsy; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; 363.2505
• DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13537
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1198

Abstract

Abstract: Sharp force injuries and drowning are methods exceptionally combined in complex suicides. We report a challenging case of complex suicide by self‐stabbing and drowning that illustrates the difficulty in discriminating between homicide and suicide in such circumstances of death. The corpse of a young man was found submerged in a river, stabbed nine times with two wounds that had penetrated the thorax and had caused lung injuries and a hemopneumothorax. The postmortem and histological examinations were consistent with a death caused by drowning, but the manner of death still remained undetermined. Police investigation finally concluded to a suicide, although no suicide note had been left and the victim had no underlying diagnosed mental disorder. The parameters that may help distinguish suicide from homicide at the autopsy should be interpreted in light of a thorough forensic investigation to determine the exact manner of death in such a case.