Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
SCOPUS
  • Year: 2021
  • Volume: 38
  • Issue: 2

Planned complex suicide by hanging and drowning in a water drum inscribed with suicide note

1Specialist, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, Delhi-110064, India, Email: jatinfsm@gmail.com

2Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh-160030, India, Email: maahi474@gmail.com

3Additional Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Science, New Delhi-110029, India, Email- drchitta75@rediffmail.com

4Senior Scientific Officer, Forensic Science Laboratory cum Ex. Officio Chemical Examiner to the Govt. of National Capital Region of Delhi, India, Email- jkgemini04@gmail.com

*Corresponding Author, Dr. Mohit Chauhan, Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Room No 212, Level II, E-Block, Government Medical College & Hospital, Sector-32, Chandigarh-160030, India, E-mail: maahi474@gmail.com

Online Published on 02 June, 2022.

Abstract

Hanging or drowning is combined with other method/s in planned and unplanned complex suicides. However, simultaneous use of any two methods of mechanical asphyxia is un-reported in planned complex suicide. Authors describe an unprecedented case of suicide of a 56-year-old man who was found dead inside a water drum. The drum was also utilized to be inscribed with suicide note, as well as a farewell message. Hanging being a surest method of death is usually exercised at last in complex suicides, but used as first method here. This is also the first case of planned complex suicide wherein hanging and drowning were used together. The intent of the deceased to safeguard via multiples measures against the faulty implication of family member/s to be held responsible for his death was really interesting. Inscription of suicide note has also never been reported over water drum, and is another highlight of this case.

Keywords

Planned complex suicide, Hanging, Drowning, Asphyxia, Water drum, Suicide note