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Cirielli V, Cecchetto G, Narayanasamy M, Eccher A, Gobbo S, Brunelli M, Pigaiani N. Atypical suicide by single incising cut to the throat without hesitation marks: Case report and review of the literature. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2024; 70:102468. [PMID: 38851015 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2024.102468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Several studies have been performed to recognize the main features in homicide and suicide sharp wound-related death, revealing that a single cutting wound to the neck is an infrequent event in suicide cases, and several hesitation marks near the fatal injury are usually present. We report a case of an atypical self-inflicted cutthroat injury without tentative marks involving a 79-year-old female. The weapon used, a kitchen knife, was found at the crime scene. The wound had clean margins, and no other incisions were found. Scene circumstances, namely the absence of signs of a break-in, the victim found on the bed, the knife located near the body, the vital wound in an accessible site, and the absence of defense injuries, collectively support a likely suicide. A literature review was also performed to compare forensic data of the case presented with the other 6 cases reported regarding atypical suicide characterized by a single incising cut to the throat without hesitation marks. Given the few cases reported and the lack of gross descriptions and histopathological data available in the literature, additional knowledge of such a case may help forensic pathologists in the identification of suicidal events when a single neck injury is observed. In this frame, suicide by a unique single incising cut to the throat without hesitation marks near the lethal injury may be observed as an atypical presentation, and the crime scene investigation, together with additional background information of the deceased, aid in the identification of the manner of the death.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Cirielli
- Unit of Forensic Medicine, Department of Prevention, ULSS 8 Berica, Vicenza, Italy; Section of Forensic Medicine, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Italy
| | - G Cecchetto
- Unit of Forensic Medicine, Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Italy
| | - M Narayanasamy
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - A Eccher
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - S Gobbo
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - M Brunelli
- Section of Pathology, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Italy
| | - N Pigaiani
- Section of Forensic Medicine, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Italy.
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2
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AlGheryafi ZF, Alnasser FF, Almukhtar FH, Aldajani FA, Al Qassim FH, Al Zakaria ZM, Alshammari SO, Menezes RG. Differentiating suicide from homicide in sharp-force fatalities with stab and/or incised wounds: A scoping review. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2024; 67:102388. [PMID: 38219705 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The majority of sharp-force fatalities with stab and/or incised wounds are homicides. However, suicidal sharp-force fatalities with stab and/or incised wounds are also reported. Thus, distinguishing suicidal stab and/or incised wounds from homicidal stab and/or incised wounds is significant from the forensic perspective. This scoping review primarily summarizes the existing research findings on the differentiation of suicide from homicide in sharp-force fatalities with stab and/or incised wounds. The literature was systematically searched on February 28, 2023, using the PubMed database. A search string formed by a combination of keywords related to suicide, homicide, and stab and incised wounds yielded 23 records. After applying the eligibility criteria, six records/studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the present scoping review. Results showed that the predictive strength of various parameters, either individually or collectively, in diagnosing the manner of sharp-force fatality as suicide or homicide is not always hundred percent accurate. Some of the important predictors of the homicidal manner of death in sharp-force fatalities include clothing damage, presence of defense injuries, presence of injuries caused by another type of violence other than sharp-force, vertically oriented chest stabs, and sharp-force injuries in the head and back anatomical sites. Some of the important predictors of the suicidal manner of death in sharp-force fatalities include the presence of tentative injuries, sharp-force injuries to the wrist, and the presence of a suicide note.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zainab Fathi AlGheryafi
- College of Medicine, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatima Foud Alnasser
- College of Medicine, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatima Hussain Almukhtar
- College of Medicine, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatema Abdullatef Aldajani
- College of Medicine, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatimah Hussain Al Qassim
- College of Medicine, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zainab Mohammed Al Zakaria
- College of Medicine, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shoq Obeid Alshammari
- College of Medicine, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ritesh G Menezes
- College of Medicine, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
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Berg von Linde M, Acosta S, Khoshnood AM, Wingren CJ. A Swedish nationwide forensic study of the manner of death in single stab injuries to the trunk. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 354:111910. [PMID: 38096751 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Forensic pathologists are frequently confronted with questions about whether an injury is likely to have been inflicted by an assault or be self-inflicted. However, little is known of the epidemiological variables that might be applicable to differentiate between homicides and suicides in deaths caused by single stab injuries to the trunk. METHOD Using the Swedish forensic autopsy register, we identified 94 homicides and 45 suicides between 2010 and 2021 in which death followed a single stab injury to the trunk. We extracted characteristics from the cases and performed statistical analyses using the Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test and logistic regression model. RESULTS Victims of homicides were younger than suicide victims (median age 33 years vs. 52 years, p < 0.05), and males were in the majority in both groups (93% vs. 82%). In numerous homicide victims, stab wounds were placed in the back and in axillar regions, unlike in suicides victims in which the stabs were all placed on the medial part of the anterior trunk. Vertical entrance wounds in the skin combined with a medially running injury channel (n = 13) showed a positive predictive value of 100% (95% CI 75.3-100) for homicide, although the sensitivity was low. Homicides were conclusively associated with an outdoor death scene (OR 19.0, 95% CI 7.6-47.1), injury to thoracic bone/cartilage (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.6-9.0), influence of alcohol (OR 7.1, 95% Cl 2.9-17.7) and illicit drugs (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.5-11.9). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The observed forensic characteristics of stab injuries could be used as a tool when assessing the manner of death in single stabs. Further research on variables associated with manner of death are needed and we suggest also including characteristics of surviving victims in such analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Berg von Linde
- Unit for Forensic Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Swedish National Board of Forensic Medicine, Unit for Forensic Medicine, Sölvegatan 25, 223 62 Lund, Sweden.
| | - Stefan Acosta
- Vascular Centre, Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden; Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Ruth Lundskogsgatan 10, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden.
| | - Ardavan M Khoshnood
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Skåne University Hospital Malmö, Malmö, Sweden; Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Clinical Research Centre, CRC 91-12, Box 50332, 202 13 Malmö, Sweden.
| | - Carl Johan Wingren
- Unit for Forensic Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Department of Forensic Medicine, Copenhagen University, Frederik V's Vej 11, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Beltrame B, Baig S, Verzeletti A. Forensic remarks regarding 35 cases of complex suicides and 4 cases of complicated suicides investigated at the Institute of Legal Medicine of Brescia during the period 1983-2022. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2023; 65:102324. [PMID: 37738750 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
The role of the forensic pathologist is central to both identifying the cause and determining the manner of death. Distinguishing a suicide from a homicide or accidental event is essential to define whether third parties are involved in death. Suicides are most frequently performed using a single method; therefore, they can be defined as simple. The term "complex suicide" refers to a form of suicide in which two or more methods are applied by the victim, simultaneously or in chronological succession, to achieve the death. The different methods may have been planned in advance to prevent failure of the first method or may occur because the first method was not effective or was too painful, so the victim quickly seeks another way to complete the suicide. "Complicated suicides", on the other hand, are characterised by an unintentional secondary trauma following the suicidal act. This study analyses 35 complex suicides and 4 complicated suicides investigated at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Brescia (Italy) during the period 1983-2022. Some data about the cases are discussed. This study aims to demonstrate how multiple lesions on the victim's body are not in themselves indicative of the intervention of third parties in their production, but complex and complicated suicides must always be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Beltrame
- Institute of Legal Medicine of Brescia, University of Brescia, Italy.
| | - Sara Baig
- Institute of Legal Medicine of Brescia, University of Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Verzeletti
- Institute of Legal Medicine of Brescia, University of Brescia, Italy
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Lupi Manso N, Ribeiro IP, Inácio AR. Sharp force fatalities: Differentiating homicide from suicide through a retrospective review (2012-2019) of autopsy findings in Lisbon (Portugal). Forensic Sci Int 2021; 327:110959. [PMID: 34454378 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Sharp force fatalities may have a homicidal, suicidal or accidental manner of death. To aid in such differentiation this study aimed to identify medico-legal elements which were predictors of a given manner of death as well as to describe the characteristics of these deaths. A retrospective review was performed on all homicides and suicides due to sharp force injury admitted at the South Branch of the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences between January 2012 and December 2019. Deaths with a performed external examination or forensic autopsy and with available demographic, circumstantial or necroscopic information were included. Each case was reviewed to collect said information and inferential analysis was employed with both parametric and non-parametric tests as well as binary logistic regression to identify independent predictors, with significance defined at α = 0.05. A total of 57 homicides and 20 suicides were identified, with the obtained demographic and circumstantial profile of the homicide victim being that of a young foreign male whose body was found outside home, with no weapon nearby and without a known psychiatric background. Homicides presented more prominently stab wounds, with these being conspicuous on the thorax and neck. Conversely suicides notably presented cut wounds, being critically present in the neck and upper limbs. Oblique thoracic stab wounds conveyed a homicidal death. Other findings that suggested homicide included the presence of clothing damage, additional traumatic lesions and injured lungs or bone/cartilage. Toxicologically, alcohol presence was associated with homicides while psychiatric drugs suggested suicide. The logistic regression identified the presence of additional traumatic lesions (OR 14.8, p = 0.032) and the absence of lethal neck (OR 0.109, p = 0.043) and lethal upper limb (OR 0.022, p = 0.015) wounds as independent autopsy predictors of a homicidal death. However, no single feature is infallible in establishing manner of death. To achieve a cogent conclusion, all investigative elements must be considered while attending to the specifics of each case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno Lupi Manso
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Isabel Pinto Ribeiro
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Ana Rita Inácio
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Lisbon, Portugal.
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6
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Handlos P, Handlosová K, Klabal O, Uvíra M. A rare suicide case involving fatal bleeding from varicose veins. J Forensic Sci 2021; 66:2020-2023. [PMID: 34110023 PMCID: PMC8453907 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
This case report deals with a sharp force suicide case, which may challenge the experience of many forensic pathologists as well as the studies published to date. An overview of the published cases shows that sharp force suicides account only for 1.6%–3% of all suicides and the self‐inflicted injuries are usually localized on the body parts easily accessible with one's hand including the neck, thorax, or upper extremities, as well as in locations of major vascular bundles or vital organs. Reported, however, is a case in which the victim relied on the knowledge of her medical condition and used a kitchen knife to incise her varicose veins, which resulted in fatal bleeding. The case is rare on a number of grounds: incision of varicose veins is rarely the method of choice in suicide cases, injuries of peripheral veins are rarely fatal, and so are injuries of isolated veins where no damage to arteries is suffered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Handlos
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Klára Handlosová
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Klabal
- Department of English and American Studies, Faculty of Arts, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Matěj Uvíra
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic.,The Fingerland Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
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7
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Thomsen AH, Hougen HP, Villesen P, Brink O, Leth PM. Sharp Force Homicide in Denmark 1992-2016. J Forensic Sci 2019; 65:833-839. [PMID: 31746454 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Sharp force trauma is a common homicide method. The weapon is typically a knife, which is easily accessible and does not require special skills. We have analyzed all 471 sharp force homicides in Denmark during 1992-2016 with special focus on aspects that are relevant to forensic pathologists, including the distribution of wounds and organ injuries. Most homicides were committed inside with a kitchen knife. The front left thorax was the most common area to be affected by sharp force trauma. In 18.9% of the victims, there was only one sharp injury, the majority on the thorax. The most common trajectory for stab wounds was directly posterior with no deviation to the sides or up/down followed by directly anterior. The heart (including pericardium) and lungs (including hemo- and pneumothorax) had injuries in more than 75% of the victims. 67% of victims were males. Female victims had more sharp force injuries and defense wounds than male victims. Most females were killed in domestic homicides (73.7%), most commonly in partner killings (56.4%). In contrast, many male victims were killed in a setting of nightlife/intoxication (34.0%) most by a friend/acquaintance delivering a few stab wounds. The results clearly show strong sex differences in both victims and offenders. This could be useful for shaping policies and public opinion, and as a route for understanding the developments in interpersonal violence. In the narrow setting of death investigation, our results will provide an evidence-based approach to understanding the injury patterns in sharp force homicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asser H Thomsen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensen Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Hans Petter Hougen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V's vej 11, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Palle Villesen
- Bioinformatics Research Centre, Aarhus University, CF Moellers Alle 8, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Incuba/Skejby, Bygning 2, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Ole Brink
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensen Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Incuba/Skejby, Bygning 2, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Peter M Leth
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J. B. Winsloews Vej 17, DK-5000, Odense C, Denmark
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8
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O'Donovan S, Langlois NEI, Byard RW. "Defense" type wounds in suicide. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2018; 14:402-405. [PMID: 29455415 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-018-9957-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
"Defense" type wounds are sustained when a victim is attempting to ward off an attacker, or a weapon. A 39-year-old woman is reported who was found deceased with incised wounds to the dorsa of both hands that resembled defense wounds. Examination of the flexor surfaces of both wrists, however, revealed horizontal incised wounds typical of self-infliction. Perfusion of the subclavian arteries produced leakage of water from peripheral veins within wounds on both hands and the right wrist. Death was due to exsanguination from incised wounds of the hands and right wrist; manner suicide. This case demonstrates the difficulties that may arise in differentiating self-inflicted from assaultive wounds. On occasion suicidal sharp force injuries may be multiple and in atypical locations. In these circumstances a high index of suspicion for homicide must be maintained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhan O'Donovan
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Forensic Science SA, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Neil E I Langlois
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Forensic Science SA, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Roger W Byard
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. .,Forensic Science SA, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
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9
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Humphrey C, Kumaratilake J, Henneberg M. Characteristics of Bone Injuries Resulting from Knife Wounds Incised with Different Forces. J Forensic Sci 2017; 62:1445-1451. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin Humphrey
- Biological Anthropology and Comparative Anatomy Research Unit; Medical School North; University of Adelaide; Frome Road Adelaide SA 5005 Australia
| | - Jaliya Kumaratilake
- Biological Anthropology and Comparative Anatomy Research Unit; Medical School North; University of Adelaide; Frome Road Adelaide SA 5005 Australia
| | - Maciej Henneberg
- Biological Anthropology and Comparative Anatomy Research Unit; Medical School North; University of Adelaide; Frome Road Adelaide SA 5005 Australia
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10
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Abstract
While abdominal stabbings are frequently associated with homicides, abdominal self-stabbing is uncommon and poses a challenge for the investigators. In cases of sharp force trauma, the presence of hesitation cuts over the neck and extremities help to distinguish self-inflicted injuries from homicides. Hesitation cuts are not associated with self-inflicted sharp force injuries to the abdomen, and thus are of limited use in distinguishing suicidal from homicidal abdominal stab wounds. In this study, we present a case of self-inflicted abdominal stabbing along with a detailed review of literature to help elucidate such cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alok Atreya
- 1 Department of Forensic Medicine, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal
| | - Dolendra Rijal
- 2 Department of Surgery, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal
| | - Tanuj Kanchan
- 3 Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Raghvendra S Shekhawat
- 3 Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
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11
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Patil SS, Deokar RB, Vidhate SG, Tyagi S. An atypical case of suicidal cut throat injury. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejfs.2016.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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12
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Karakasi MV, Nastoulis E, Kapetanakis S, Vasilikos E, Kyropoulos G, Pavlidis P. Hesitation Wounds and Sharp Force Injuries in Forensic Pathology and Psychiatry: Multidisciplinary Review of the Literature and Study of Two Cases. J Forensic Sci 2016; 61:1515-1523. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Revised: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Valeria Karakasi
- Adult Psychiatry, Psychiatric Department; G. Papanikolaou General Hospital of Thessaloniki; GR 57010 Exohi Asvestoxori Thessaloniki Greece
| | - Evangelos Nastoulis
- Laboratory of Forensic Sciences; School of Medicine; Democritus University of Thrace; GR 68100 Alexandroupolis Greece
| | - Stylianos Kapetanakis
- Department of Anatomy; School of Medicine; Democritus University of Thrace; GR 68100 Alexandroupolis Greece
| | - Epameinondas Vasilikos
- Adult Psychiatry, Psychiatric Department; G. Papanikolaou General Hospital of Thessaloniki; GR 57010 Exohi Asvestoxori Thessaloniki Greece
| | - Grigorios Kyropoulos
- Adult Psychiatry, Psychiatric Department; G. Papanikolaou General Hospital of Thessaloniki; GR 57010 Exohi Asvestoxori Thessaloniki Greece
| | - Pavlos Pavlidis
- Laboratory of Forensic Sciences; School of Medicine; Democritus University of Thrace; GR 68100 Alexandroupolis Greece
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13
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Zanetti NI, Ferrero AA, Centeno ND. Modification of postmortem wounds by Dermestes maculatus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) activity: A preliminary study. J Forensic Leg Med 2015; 36:22-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2015.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Revised: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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14
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Kim MJ, Hong TH, Jung MJ, Lee SH, Lee JG. Single Center Experience of Stab Wound Management. JOURNAL OF ACUTE CARE SURGERY 2015. [DOI: 10.17479/jacs.2015.5.2.64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Myoung Jun Kim
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Tae Hwa Hong
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Myung Jae Jung
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung Hwan Lee
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Gil Lee
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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15
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Traumatologie und gewaltsamer Tod. Rechtsmedizin (Berl) 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-43500-7_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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16
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Vassalini M, Verzeletti A, De Ferrari F. Sharp Force Injury Fatalities: A Retrospective Study (1982-2012) in Brescia (Italy). J Forensic Sci 2014; 59:1568-74. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.12487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2013] [Revised: 05/14/2013] [Accepted: 08/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Vassalini
- Institute of Legal Medicine; Università degli Studi di Brescia; Piazzale Spedali Civili 1 25123 Brescia Italy
| | - Andrea Verzeletti
- Institute of Legal Medicine; Università degli Studi di Brescia; Piazzale Spedali Civili 1 25123 Brescia Italy
| | - Francesco De Ferrari
- Institute of Legal Medicine; Università degli Studi di Brescia; Piazzale Spedali Civili 1 25123 Brescia Italy
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17
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Chattopadhyay S, Sukul B. Pattern of defence injuries among homicidal victims. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejfs.2012.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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18
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Deaths Due to Sharp Force Injuries in Bexar County, Texas, With Respect to Manner of Death. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2013; 34:253-9. [DOI: 10.1097/paf.0b013e31828ced68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Venara A, Jousset N, Airagnes G, Arnaud JP, Rougé-Maillart C. Abdominal stab wounds: self-inflicted wounds versus assault wounds. J Forensic Leg Med 2012; 20:270-3. [PMID: 23622473 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2012.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2012] [Revised: 06/11/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Intentional penetrating wounds, self inflicted or inflicted by others, are increasingly common. As a result, it can be difficult for the forensic examiner to determine whether the cause is self-inflicted or not. This type of trauma has been studied from a psychological perspective and from a surgical perspective but the literature concerning the forensic perspective is poorer. The objective of this study was to compare the epidemiology of abdominal stab wounds so as to distinguish specific features of each type. This could help the forensic scientist to determine the manner of infliction of the wound. We proposed a retrospective monocentric study that included all patients with an abdominal wound who were managed by the visceral surgery department at Angers University Hospital. Demographic criteria, patient history, circumstances and location of the wound were noted and compared. A comparison was drawn between group 1 (self inflicted wound) and group 2 (assault). This study showed that the only significant differences are represented by the patient's prior history and the circumstances surrounding the wound, i.e. the scene and time of day. In our study, neither the site, nor the injuries sustained reveal significant clues as to the origin of the wound. According to our findings, in order to determine the cause, the forensic examiner should thus carefully study the circumstances and any associated injuries.
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