An Unusual Case Report of Unplanned Complex Suicide

Abstract

The phenomenon of complex suicide is well-known and defined as the use of more than one suicidal method to cause death. It accounts for 1.5 to 05 % of all suicidal deaths. In complex suicides, planned and unplanned acts are differentiated. In unplanned suicides, one or more methods are used consecutively after the previous method failed and did not result in death. The present case report discusses the unplanned suicide of a young, extremely obese, 18-year-old boy. The boy was found in an unconscious state at his home in the bathroom, in sitting position on the floor with his neck suspended to the shower head with a rope with multiple cut marks over his body. During the autopsy, external examination revealed a ligature mark around neck and multiple superficial incised injuries over his face, neck and both wrists. Detailed autopsy examination confirmed the cause of death as asphyxia due to suicidal hanging with multiple incised injuries over the body. It is of utmost importance for the forensic investigator to have in-depth knowledge about different unusual suicidal methods. This will prevent unnecessary criminal investigation and help in the concrete establishment of the manner and cause of death.