The “ Social-mobile autopsy ”: The evolution of psychological autopsy with new technologies in forensic investigations on suicide

Aquila, Isabella; Sacco, Matteo Antonio; Gratteri, Santo; Sirianni, Miriam; Fazio, Pasquale De; Ricci, Pietrantonio

doi:10.1016/j.legalmed.2017.12.008

Cited by 21 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The second consisted of an investigation method, carried out by collecting data on the background of the victim through interviews with family members and the family doctor. 4,5 In these unprecedented times, the risk of suicide should not be underestimated and a psychological autopsy will evaluate the motive behind the act and any correlation with the ongoing health emergency. This could be crucial if we are to calculate the impact of the pandemic on the public's mental health.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Quarantine of the Covid-19 pandemic in suicide: A psychological autopsy

et al. 2020

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The epidemiology of suicide has identified numerous psychiatric and occupational risk factors. The circumstances surrounding a suicide are fundamental to determining whether its characteristics will play a crucial role in the decision-making process. The state of emergency arising from the Covid-19 pandemic has introduced a new element, given the general concern and feelings of alarm which are global. The most suitable forensic method to analyse these cases is the psychological autopsy. This study’s purpose is to analyse the application of the psychological autopsy method to evaluate the impact of the pandemic where government lockdowns impose restrictions on personal freedom. We set out to consider how far this together with other factors may induce suicide. The literature does not as yet offer us a retrospective analysis of the influence of the global pandemic state on rates of suicide. Accordingly, we report a forensic case and examine the critical issues and problems in the management of these cases.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The second consisted of an investigation method, carried out by collecting data on the background of the victim through interviews with family members and the family doctor. 4,5…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quarantine of the Covid-19 pandemic in suicide: A psychological autopsy

et al. 2020

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“…In all cases of the “confirmed for Covid-19” group, hospital medical records were examined and the personal data and clinical evolution, anamnesis, comorbidities and any complications during hospitalisation were evaluated. 14…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of the persistence time of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the cadaver and the risk of passing infection to autopsy staff

et al. 2021

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The activity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has not yet been studied in a post-mortem setting. The absence of these data has led to the prohibition of exposure of infected corpses during burial procedures. Our aim was to assess the virus’s persistence and the possibility of transmission in the post-mortem phase including autopsy staff. The sample group included 29 patients who were admitted to our Covid-19 Centre who died during hospitalisation and the autopsy staff. All the swabs were subjected to a one-step real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction with cycle threshold (Ct) values. Swab collection was performed at 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 12 h, over 24 since death. The following were the analysis of patients’ swabs: 10 cases were positive 2 h after death; 10 cases positive 4 h after death; 9 cases were found positive 6 h after death; 7 cases positive 12 h after death; 9 cases remained positive 24 h after death. The swabs performed on all the forensic pathologist staff on duty who performed the autopsies were negative. The choice to avoid rituals and the display of corpses before and at the burial procedures given appears cautiously valid due to the persistence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the post-mortem period. Although the caution in choosing whether or not to perform an autopsy on infected corpses is acceptable, not to perform autopsies is not biologically supported.

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“…Applying the psychological autopsy method, it emerged from the witness statement data that his sister had previously committed suicide. 15 The initial examination of the body showed no sign of a struggle, indicating possible death by suicide. Putrefaction (Figures 1 to 4) was advanced, especially evident on the face, with areas of discolouration and ‘marbling’.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of ethanethiol in deaths from acute poisoning by gas mixtures: A suicide case involving a decomposed corpse and a review of the literature

et al. 2020

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The most common volatile substances used in suicide are liquefied petroleum gas mixtures, which consist of propane and butane gases mixed in different proportions. These substances are odourless and colourless. Some substances, such as ethanethiol, are added to liquefied petroleum gas mixtures to provide a garlic scent. The main causes of death in acute liquefied petroleum gas inhalation are cardiac arrest and asphyxia, but determining the manner of death is difficult. We present a case of a 30-year-old man found dead at home. On his head was a black plastic bag with a hole through which he had run a gas hose connected to a domestic liquefied petroleum gas cylinder tank. Toxicological analysis revealed butane and ethanethiol in his body. This study aims at understanding the lethal role of ethanethiol through the analysis of its chemical action and its influence on decomposition.

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The “ Social-mobile autopsy ”: The evolution of psychological autopsy with new technologies in forensic investigations on suicide

Cited by 21 publications

References 21 publications

Quarantine of the Covid-19 pandemic in suicide: A psychological autopsy

Quarantine of the Covid-19 pandemic in suicide: A psychological autopsy

Analysis of the persistence time of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the cadaver and the risk of passing infection to autopsy staff

The role of ethanethiol in deaths from acute poisoning by gas mixtures: A suicide case involving a decomposed corpse and a review of the literature

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