The role of self-immolation in complex suicides: A neglected topic in current literature

Simonit, Francesco; Broi, Ugo Da; Desinan, Lorenzo

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.110073

Cited by 17 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 84 publications

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“…In second case, none of the risk factors described in the literature were present. Simonit et al [42] described the presence of psychiatric co-morbidities or alcoholism in subjects who commit complex suicides with fire. Complex suicides represent 1.5-5% of all suicides reported in the literature [43,44].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Men’s Suicide by Self-abdominal Cut and Disembowelment: A Literature Review and Analysis of Three Cases

Simone¹,

Vittorio²,

Cipolloni³

et al. 2022

JOMH

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Introduction: Suicide by abdominal cut wounds and consequent disembowelment is a modality rarely described in the literature, with rates between 1.6% and 3%. The incidence is higher in men. This type of suicide might be so unusual as the abdominal injuries are not supposed to be related to immediate death (compared to the wrists or throat, which involves rapid bleeding, for example). Considering the infrequency of suicides by abdominal self-cutting, in such cases, the main hypothesis is a homicide, especially in those with multiple injuries or occurred in a complex setting. These cases require a detailed autopsy report with the analysis of the injuries and circumstances of death (e.g., farewell note, history of depression, previous suicide attempts, defense injuries, and signs of hesitation) to allow a differential diagnosis between suicide and homicide. This study aims to highlight the characteristics of suicides through self-cut wounding, focusing on those that determine a large abdominal opening and evisceration. Methods: The authors conducted the literature search using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, on PubMed and Scopus databases, using the following keywords: "(suicide) AND (abdominal stab wounds)", "(suicide) AND (abdominal sharp injuries)", "(suicide) AND (abdominal self-stabbing)", "(suicide) AND (abdominal cut wounds)". Results: 7 articles were included in the systematic review, for a total of 11 cases of suicide by abdominal self-cutting. Of these cases, 3 were women and 8 were men. Conclusions: The analysis of the external examination findings versus the crime scene results is essential to clarify if injuries are self-inflicted with suicidal intention. Suicide through a violent act can also be practiced by people who have no history of psychiatric conditions or other risk factors. Therefore, in cases of abdominal cut and evisceration with victims' survival time, the forensic pathologist has to consider that the deceased himself could cause modifications to the crime scene, turning it into a complicated suicide.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Men’s Suicide by Self-abdominal Cut and Disembowelment: A Literature Review and Analysis of Three Cases

Simone¹,

Vittorio²,

Cipolloni³

et al. 2022

JOMH

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“…Simonit et al examined self-immolation (setting fire to oneself) cases involving “complex suicides,” which are deaths having more than one suicide method [ 104 ]. Differentiating between bodies burned as part of a complex suicide and those burned by someone trying to cover up a crime is an important determination that needs to be made regarding cause of death.…”

Section: Fire-related Forensic Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interpol review of fire debris analysis and fire investigation 2019–2022

Evans¹

2023

Forensic Science International: Synergy

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“…When flames are included in a planned suicide (often when this involves multiple suicidal methods), it can be defined as "complex". 26 During a crime scene investigation, any possible sources of electric current at low or high voltage should be identified. The patterns of injuries due to electric current often mimic those of flames so an indepth analysis during the examination of the corpse, the places and circumstances surrounding the death (e.g.…”

Section: Evaluation Of the Cause And Manner Of Deathmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When flames are included in a planned suicide (often when this involves multiple suicidal methods), it can be defined as “complex”. 26…”

Section: Evaluation Of the Cause And Manner Of Deathmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medico-legal scene investigation in the case of burned bodies – a systematic review

D’Antonio,

Serinelli,

Albore

et al. 2023

Med Leg J

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A judicial on-site examination is essential for the correct analysis of a forensic case, particularly when there has been a fatal fire, as heat-related changes to bodies make identification by the forensic pathologist and other specialists difficult along with estimating the post-mortem interval and determining the precise cause and manner of death. We systematically reviewed all relevant articles dating from 2003 to 2022 in the PubMed database with a view to updating recommendations on how best to proceed. Our recommendations highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach involving various forensic specialists.

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The role of self-immolation in complex suicides: A neglected topic in current literature

Cited by 17 publications

References 84 publications

Men’s Suicide by Self-abdominal Cut and Disembowelment: A Literature Review and Analysis of Three Cases

Men’s Suicide by Self-abdominal Cut and Disembowelment: A Literature Review and Analysis of Three Cases

Interpol review of fire debris analysis and fire investigation 2019–2022

Medico-legal scene investigation in the case of burned bodies – a systematic review

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