Suicide Pact by Mutual Simultaneous Arm Amputation

Abstract

This case illustrates many of the key, defining features of suicide pacts that are carried out and also highlights the nature of the dependency relationship.

Suicide Pacts: Six Cases and Literature Review

“…Suicide pacts represent less than 1% of all suicides . A review of the literature reveals relatively homogeneous data about the victims of suicide pacts.…”

“…The goal for the partners of a suicide pact is to allow their union, which is impossible in life, to continue in death . The suicide act generally occurs in the same place and at the same time, involving either simultaneous suicide, or homicide–suicide, the latter being the case in 45% of pacts according to Fishbain and Aldrich .…”

“…This method would have been chosen to ensure that the two deaths were synchronized. In this case, the subjects were found before the fatal outcome . Altindag and Yanik also described the case of three sisters who swallowed pesticide .…”

“…Altindag and Yanik also described the case of three sisters who swallowed pesticide . The use of alcohol is common, probably to overcome inhibition when committing the act .…”

Jumping Together: A Fatal Suicide Pact

“…KEYWORDS: forensic science, bound wrist, suicide fall, suicide note, suicide pact, injury pattern In suicide pact, two or more persons mutually agree and execute to end their lives together by predetermined methods (1,2). These events are, however, very rare, and the incidence is less than 1% among the suicides (3,4). The individuals in suicide pact may be spouses, lovers, or friends: lover pacts being typical in Japan; spouse pacts in Dade County, Florida, USA, and in England; and friend pacts among Indians (5).…”