Post-mortem decapitation by domestic dogs: three case reports and review of the literature

Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2011 Dec;7(4):344-9. doi: 10.1007/s12024-011-9233-x. Epub 2011 Apr 29.

Abstract

Post-mortem animal depredation is not an uncommon phenomenon in routine forensic autopsies. We present three cases of complete post-mortem decapitation by domestic German shepherd dogs. In two cases, the head had been bitten off, defleshed and left lying near the body, while in one case it had been completely devoured by two dogs; only small skull fragments and crowned teeth could be found. Two of the three bodies were putrefied; all dog bite injuries had been inflicted after death. The cause of death was drug toxicity in two cases and fatal hemorrhage from ruptured esophageal varices in one case. These rare injuries due to post-mortem animal depredation are discussed in the light of earlier studies and case reports.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bites and Stings / pathology*
  • Cocaine / poisoning
  • Decapitation*
  • Dogs*
  • Drug Overdose
  • Esophageal and Gastric Varices / pathology
  • Feeding Behavior*
  • Female
  • Forensic Pathology
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / pathology
  • Humans
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / poisoning
  • Male
  • Methadone / poisoning
  • Middle Aged
  • Narcotics / poisoning
  • Suicide

Substances

  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Narcotics
  • Cocaine
  • Methadone