Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
SCOPUS
  • Year: 2022
  • Volume: 39
  • Issue: 2

An unusual case of suicidal plastic bag asphyxia with fastening by a scarf around the neck

  • Author:
  • Vinod A. Chaudhari1, N Ashok2,, Siddhartha Das3, Nisreen Abdul Rahman4, Subhashini Ramamoorthi5
  • Total Page Count: 6
  • Page Number: 120 to 125

1Additional Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical 1 Education & Research, Puducherry, India, 605006

2Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, ESIC Medical College & PGIMSR, KK Nagar, Chennai, 600078

3Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Puducherry, India, 605006

4Associate professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, KMCT Medical College, Kozhikode, Kerala, India, 673602

5Senior Resident, Department of Pathology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Puducherry, India, 605006

*Corresponding Author: Dr. Ashok N, Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, ESIC Medical College & PGIMSR, KK Nagar, Chennai, 600078, Email: drashokfmt@gmail.com

Online Published on 12 January, 2023.

Abstract

The deaths due to plastic bag asphyxia/suffocation uncommon among older people. Plastic bag asphyxia deaths commonly occur as accidental deaths in solvent abusers among adolescents and in autoerotic asphyxia among adults. Many suicides by plastic bag asphyxia were reported in the elderly, chronically, and terminally ill patients. The suicidal plastic bag asphyxia deaths were increasing due to the ready availability of asphyxia steps in the published books and the Internet. We are presenting a case of suicidal plastic bag asphyxia death in a 43 year-old woman. She was found unconscious in the bathroom was taken to hospital and declared brought dead. Autopsy findings were cyanosis of lips and nailbeds, petechial hemorrhages in the epiglottis and congestion of internal organs. The deceased used a scarf to fasten the plastic bag around the neck and no other evidence was found at the crime scene. The woman's death was suicidal by plastic bag asphyxia.

Keywords

Plastic Bag, Asphyxia, Suicide, Suffocation, Autopsy, Suicideal Ideation