A planned complex suicide by self-stabbing and vehicular crash: An original case and review of the literature

Christin, E.; Hiquet, J.; Fougas, J.; Dubourg, Olivier; Gromb-Monnoyeur, S.

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.01.005

Cited by 11 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…4 It is also essential to consider the electronic devices of the deceased because suicidal messages might be left on them. 17 In previous studies, farewell notes were recovered in 11/54 (20.4%), 5 8/16 (50%) 6 and 9/19 (47.36%) 4 cases, respectively. Racette and Sauvegau 4 differentiated the recovery of suicide notes among planned (8/14; 57.14%) and unplanned complex suicides (1/5; 20%).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

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Complex and complicated suicides in Friuli (1993–2017)

et al. 2021

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Complex suicides involve more than one suicide method. According to the intention of the victim, they are classified as ‘planned’ when the use of more than one suicide technique has been previously devised by the victim and ‘unplanned’ when the first method turns out to be too painful or insufficient to cause death, and the individual then resorts to other means of suicide. Complicated suicide, on the other hand, is a term that was introduced by Töro and Pollak, in which a failed act of suicide is followed by traumatisation, which has a fatal outcome. This type of death must be distinguished from complex suicides. From a sample of 1160 fatalities (837 males) between 1993 and 2017, we identified 20 (1.72%) cases of complex suicide and three (0.26%) cases of complicated suicide. We considered age, sex, psychiatric history, previous suicide attempts, suicide methods and eventual secondary traumatisation. We also compared planned and unplanned complex suicides. The results show a higher number of planned complex suicides (16 vs. 4), a prevalence of males ( n = 17) and adults (median age = 48 years, range 21–74 range). Plastic bag suffocation and gas inhalation ( n = 8) were the most commonly used methods. Firearms ( n = 4) were used exclusively by males in planned complex suicides. Wrist and forearm cuts ( n = 5) were found in four unplanned and one planned complex suicides, and all of the cases with known previous suicidal attempts ( n = 3) involved planned complex suicides. Complicated suicides concerned three male victims in two failed attempts of hanging and an unforeseen carbon monoxide intoxication following a non-fatal gunshot to the mouth, confirming the rarity of these fatalities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…No case involving road traffic or vehicular crash was detected, although several such complex suicides are reported in the literature. 7,17,40–42…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complex and complicated suicides in Friuli (1993–2017)

et al. 2021

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“…The forensic literature reports that 1.5%–5.6% of all suicides are complex suicide cases (Viel et al, 2009). In these situations, the decedent is desperate to commit suicide through subsequent modalities to ensure success in case the first method fails (Bohnert, 2005; Bohnert & Pollak, 2004; Christin et al, 2018; Pollak, 1978). In planned complex suicides, common methods involve ingesting drugs, hanging, using a firearm, drowning, or jumping from a height.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complex Suicide: A Case Series

Sonwani

Ateriya

Verma

et al. 2022

Journal of Forensic Nursing

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Suicide is a common manner of death typically carried out via a specific mechanism. When a suicidal act is committed using more than one method, it is called a complex suicide. A complex suicide can be divided into planned and unplanned. We present three cases of complex suicide in which multiple methods were used and a previous history of self-harm was present. This case series highlights the significance of a detailed medicolegal death investigation, including interviews with relatives and other witnesses, and a thorough forensic autopsy/toxicological analysis to ascertain the cause and manner of death.

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“…52,66 Christin reported a 27-year-old male who had been driving erratically prior to a collision who was found with a knife in his chest. 69 Suicide was determined as he had made verbal communication of his intent. 69 In a review of complex suicides in Milan, Italy, Gentile et al reported a single complex suicide by vehicle crash followed by drowning.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…69 Suicide was determined as he had made verbal communication of his intent. 69 In a review of complex suicides in Milan, Italy, Gentile et al reported a single complex suicide by vehicle crash followed by drowning. 70 Other complex suicides include an overdose followed by CO toxicity 71 and an attempted self-immolation followed by vehicle collision.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An overview of suicides related to motor vehicles

et al. 2022

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Although vehicles may be used in a wide variety of suicides, this has not been a focus in the forensic literature. Thus, an analysis of coronial autopsy reports at Forensic Science SA, Adelaide, South Australia over a 16-year period from January 2005 to December 2020 was undertaken to provide an overview of cases in which it was considered that a vehicle had been integral to the successful completion of a suicide. De-identified details were collected from all cases in which a vehicle had facilitated or been used as a method of suicide. A number of different types of vehicle-related suicide methods were identified, including cases where vehicles had been used as secure places for suicide or where the vehicle had been used to cause significant blunt force trauma or to enter a lethal environment such as water. Specific examples were taken from the following categories: (1) inhalation of gas, (2) drug toxicity, (3) hanging or ligature strangulation, (4) self-immolation, (5) drowning, (6) vehicle collision, (7) driving off a cliff, (8) jumping or lying in front of a vehicle and (9) the use of more than one method (i.e. complex). This report is not intended to provide an epidemiological analysis of car-related suicides. Instead, the details of selected cases have been used to illustrate the spectrum of methods that may be used in vehicle-assisted suicides.

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A planned complex suicide by self-stabbing and vehicular crash: An original case and review of the literature

Cited by 11 publications

References 18 publications

Complex and complicated suicides in Friuli (1993–2017)

Complex and complicated suicides in Friuli (1993–2017)

Complex Suicide: A Case Series

An overview of suicides related to motor vehicles

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