Abstract
Suicidal ligature strangulation is a rare event. The most important issue to solve in the investigation is whether it is a case of homicide or suicide. The characteristics of suicidal ligature strangulation are summarized by Koops and Brinkmann with the emphasis on the nature of the ligature instrument(s). In this article, we present two cases of self-strangulation with an almost identical modus operandi using gymnastics bands. The autopsy findings and the nature of the ligature in these cases are depicted and in good accordance with the described typical observations in suicidal cases. The importance of a broad medico-legal investigation is demonstrated.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Koops E, Brinkmann B (1982) Selbsterdrosselung. Z Rechtsmed 88:221–231
Costanza A, D'Orta I, Perroud N, Burkhardt S, Malafosse A, Mangin P, La Harpe R (2013) Neurobiology of suicide: do biomarkers exist? Int J Legal Med. doi:10.1007/s00414-0835-6
Meyer FS, Trübner K, Schöpfer J, Zimmer G, Schmidt E, Püschel K, Vennemann M, Bajanowski T, Asphyxia Study Group (2012) Accidental mechanical asphyxia of children in Germany between 2000 and 2008. Int J Legal Med 126:765–771
Thierauf A, Pollak S (2013) Strangulation. In: Siegel JA, Saukko PJ (eds) Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences, 2nd edn. Adacemic Press, Waltham, pp 19–26
Sauvageau A, Racette S (2006) Autoerotic deaths in the literature from 1954 to 2004: a review. J Forensic Sci 51:140–146
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2008) Unintentional strangulation deaths from the “choking game” among youths aged 6-19 years – United States, 1995-2007. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 57:141–144
Watanabe-Suzuki K, Suzuki O, Kosugi I, Seno H, Ishii A (2002) A curious autopsy case of a car crash in which self-strangulation and lung collapse were found: a case report. Med Sci Law 42:261–264
Zhao D, Ishikawa T, Quan L, Li DR, Michiue T, Maeda H (2008) Suicidal vehicle-assisted ligature strangulation resulting in complete decapitation: an autopsy report and a review of the literature. Leg Med (Tokyo) 10:310–315
Patel F (1997) Undetected ligature self-strangulation: disadvantage at the scene of a decomposed body. J Clin Forensic Med 4:41–43
Schmidt P, Haarhoff K, Hoffmann E (1991) Sekundär kombinierter Suizid unter den Augen der Ehefrau. Arch Kriminol 188:65–71
Di Nunno N, Costantinides F, Conticchio G, Mangiatordi S, Vimercati L, Di Nunno C (2002) Self strangulation: an uncommon but not unprecedented suicide method. Am J Forensic Med pathol 23:260–263
Palmiere C, Risso E, van Hecke O, La Harpe R (2007) Unplanned complex suicide by self-strangulation associated with multiple sharp force injuries: a case report. Med Sci Law 47:269–273
Doberentz E, Hagemeier L, Madea B (2009) Cable tie used for suicidal ligature strangulation – a case report. Arch Kriminol 224:17–25
Germerott T, Jaenisch S, Hatch G, Albrecht UV, Guenther D (2010) Planned complex suicide: Self-strangulation and plaster ingestion. Forensic Sci Int 202:e35–e37
Sorokin V, Persechino F, DeRoux SJ, Greenberg MJ (2012) Suicidal ligature strangulation utilizing cable ties: a report of three cases. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 8:52–55
Badiadka KK, Kanchan T, D'Souza DH, Subhash K, Vasu S (2012) An unusual case of self-strangulation by ligature. J Forensic Legal Med 19:434–436
Turkmen N, Eren B, Uyaniker ZD, Ergonen AT (2012) An uncommon suicide method: sel-strangulation. Med Arh 66:423–424
Pollak S, Saukko PJ (2000) Defense wounds. In: Siegel JA, Saukko PJ, Knupfer GC (eds) Encyclopedia of forensic sciences. Academic Press, London, pp 374–378
Shaw D, Fernandes JR, Rao C (2005) Suicide in children and adolescents: a 10-year retrospective review. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 26:309–315
Koops E, Kleiber M, Brinkmann B (1982) Über Befundmuster und besondere Befunde bei homicidalem und suicidalem Erdrosseln. Beitr Gerichtl Med 40:129–133
Pollak S, Missliwetz J (1985) Hämatome in der Zungenmuskulatur bei Angriffen gegen den Hals. Beitr Gerichtl Med 43:109–116
Andrew TA, Fallon KK (2007) Asphyxial games in children and adolescents. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 28:303–307
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tzimas, I., Bajanowski, T., Pollak, S. et al. Suicidal ligature strangulation using gymnastics bands. Int J Legal Med 128, 313–316 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-013-0959-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-013-0959-8