Suicide by helium inhalation in the Netherlands between 2012 and 2019

Hondel, Karen E. van den; Punt, Priscilla; Dorn, Tina; Ceelen, Manon; Aarts, Floor; Zande, Dianne van der; Kuijk, Sieb van; Duijst, Wilma; Stumpel, René; Mesdag, Taco van; Vervoort, Will; IJzermans, Anke; Vries, Philip de; Verweij, Jeroen; Remmen, Jacquo Van; Hooren, Roland Van; Kruyver, Bart; Buster, Marcel; Reijnders, Udo

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110566

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 21 publications

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“…3,11,[15][16][17] The use of other gases for suicide has been on the rise with reported increases in cases utilizing hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S), 16 nitrogen (N 2 ), propane, natural gas 18 and helium (He). 1,3,15,16,19 In case 6 H 2 S gas was generated by mixing hydrochloric acid and lime sulphur, chemicals found in common household products. 20 Drug toxicity.…”

Section: Inhalation Of Gasmentioning

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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Section: Inhalation Of Gasmentioning

confidence: 99%

An overview of suicides related to motor vehicles

et al. 2022

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et al. 2021

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Helium Suicide, a Rapid and Painless Asphyxia: Toxicological Findings

Carfora

Petrella

Ambrosio

et al. 2022

Toxics

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Suicide by helium inhalation has become increasingly common in the last few decades in Europe and the US because it produces a quick and painless death. Inhaled-gas suicides can easily be assessed through death scene investigation and autopsy. However, helium is a colorless and odorless inert gas that unfortunately cannot be detected using standard toxicological analysis. A successful gas analysis was performed following the suicide of a 17-year-old female. For the detection of helium, central/peripheral blood samples and gaseous samples from the esophagus, stomach, and upper and lower respiratory airways (from the trachea and the primary left and right bronchia) were collected with a gastight syringe, ensuring minimal dilution. Qualitative analyses were positive in all gaseous samples. Quantitative analyses were performed using a special gas-inlet system with a vacuum by which the sample can be transferred to a mass spectrometer, reducing the risk of contamination. Helium concentrations were 20.16% from the trachea, 12.33% from the right lung, and 1.5% from the stomach. Based on the high levels of helium, the cause and manner of death were assessed as asphyxia suicide by inhalation of helium. Therefore, toxicological analyses should always be applied in order to gain evidence of inhaled gas in gaseous samples.

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Suicide by helium inhalation in the Netherlands between 2012 and 2019

Cited by 3 publications

References 21 publications

An overview of suicides related to motor vehicles

An overview of suicides related to motor vehicles

Articles You Might Have Missed

Helium Suicide, a Rapid and Painless Asphyxia: Toxicological Findings

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