An unusual case of murder–suicide: The importance of studying knots

D’Ovidio, Cristian; Rosato, Enrica; Carnevale, Aldo

doi:10.1016/j.jflm.2016.10.004

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…This involves the collection, preservation, and examination of on-body evidence such as clothing, items found in clothing including articles of identification, body wrappings or binding materials, and sampling from body regions for foreign materials ( Image 1 ). The identification of binding materials or items used as weights and the precise way in which they are affixed to the body is of particular importance and can have bearing on manner of death determination, especially suicide versus homicide (43, 44). Notation of the type, condition, and wetness of clothing and any adhered aquatic debris is important as it may correspond to victim's appearance when last seen or characteristics of the location where recovered.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Drowning Deaths: A Practical Review

Armstrong

Erskine

2018

Academic Forensic Pathology

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Drowning, which typically involves a watery environment, remains a serious public health concern claiming an estimated 362 000 lives per year worldwide across all socioeconomic classifications and has remained under close observation by the World Health Organization and its signatories. A significant number of water-related deaths are attributed to accidental drowning, while a smaller but still significant number represent suicidal or homicidal drowning. Others involve a combination of drowning precipitated by injury, intoxication, or environmental extremes. Still others involve victims that die from injury, intoxication, or a natural disease entity of such significance as to preclude the drowning process, while near or in water. While there may be an initial presumption that all water-related deaths are accidental drownings, other possibilities must be considered in the investigation of these types of deaths, as drowning as a cause of death is a diagnosis based on the exclusion of other potential causes. The coordinated investigative efforts of multiple agencies and disciplines are required not only for the designation as drowning as the cause of death but also for death certification. The ongoing analysis and dissemination of data generated from all levels of investigation augment our understanding of the impact on public health and safety, guiding allocation of monetary and educational resources in an effort to prevent further mortality and disability.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Drowning Deaths: A Practical Review

Armstrong

Erskine

2018

Academic Forensic Pathology

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“…Although this can be seen in cases of suicide, it should be considered suspicious. A close investigation of the knots is important to determine whether they could have been tied by the deceased [19]. Pollanen [20] presented six cases of homicidal drownings that were investigated using the diatom test for drowning.…”

Section: Figure Textmentioning

confidence: 99%

Homicide by drowning

Leth¹

2019

Forensic Sci Med Pathol

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Homicide of a child by drowning occurs occasionally, but it is much rarer that an adult is murdered in this way. When the victim is a child, there will often be few or no signs of violence due to the difference in size between the assailant and the victim; however, evidence of a struggle is often found in adults, unless the victim was incapacitated by alcohol, drugs or physical weakness or was unexpectedly pushed into or dragged under water. The incidence of undetermined manner of death is high in bodies retrieved from water. Therefore, a thorough investigation is needed. We have reviewed the literature regarding homicidal drowning.

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“…Choking can occur accidentally during a meal, or can occur after ingestion of nonedible substances, particularly for suicidal purposes. 4,5 People with mental illness are at a three-to fivefold higher risk of such sudden death compared to the non-psychiatric population. 6 Mentally impaired or brain-damaged patients are at higher risk for cafe´coronaries due to their higher incidence of dysphagia, abnormal eating behaviour, and impulsiveness.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A particular case of accidental asphyxiation

et al. 2017

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The case reported involved a 60-year-old man with psychiatric illness who was found dead at his home. He was almost naked and showed signs of death by violent asphyxiation, which led to the suspicion of homicide. Autopsy findings showed foreign material in the trachea and larynx. However, the partially digested content in his stomach, the study of the gastric content and the microscopic analysis of the airways made it possible to define this as accidental death due to inhalation of material from a diaper. Toxicological analysis detected the presence of phenytoin, valproic acid, and phenobarbital in his blood, with values within the therapeutic ranges. This is certainly a peculiar case, as particularly evident after careful review of the literature on deaths by asphyxiation in psychiatric patients. Furthermore, this study highlights the importance of a full autopsy and microscopic evaluation of any foreign bodies.

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An unusual case of murder–suicide: The importance of studying knots

Cited by 9 publications

References 31 publications

Investigation of Drowning Deaths: A Practical Review

Investigation of Drowning Deaths: A Practical Review

Homicide by drowning

A particular case of accidental asphyxiation

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