1Post Graduate Resident, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, K.S Hegde Medical Academy (KSHEMA), NITTE University, Nithyananda Nagar, Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka
2Professor and Head, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, K.S Hegde Medical Academy (KSHEMA), NITTE University, Nithyananda Nagar, Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka
3Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Ganapathi chettikulam, Kalapet, Pondicherry
4Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, K.S Hegde Medical Academy (KSHEMA), NITTE University, Nithyananda Nagar, Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka
*Corresponding Author: Dr. Mahabalesh Shetty, Professor and Head, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, K.S Hegde Medical Academy (KSHEMA), NITTE University, Nithyananda Nagar, Deralakatte, Mangalore, 575018, Karnataka, India, Mobile: +91 9448130574, E-mail: drmabs@yahoo.co.in
Online published on 19 January, 2018.
The recent emergence of suicide by plastic bag suffocation can be attributed to the Right to Die Societies who advocate the use of this method in terminally ill patients. These cases pose a challenge to the Forensic Pathologist owing to minimal and inconclusive findings at autopsy. Toxicological analysis, visit to the scene of occurrence and psychological autopsy play a vital role in solving these cases. Hereby presenting a case where a body of a young male was found in seemingly unclear and suspicious circumstances with a plastic bag wrapped around his head. A visit to the scene of occurrence provided clinching evidence and helped us reach a conclusion of suicide by plastic bag suffocation.
Asphyxia, Plastic bag suffocation, Suicide
