An unusual suicide case by combination of choking and hanging

Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2012 Dec;33(4):305-6. doi: 10.1097/PAF.0b013e31822d31c0.

Abstract

A 40-year-old man was found dead in his prison cell, hanging on a twisted bandage tightened around his neck. His permanent metal tracheostomy tube was completely corked with a piece of paper wrapped with transparent cellophane from a cigarette case. After police investigation and complete autopsy, suicide was determined as the manner of death. Although suicides by 1 form of asphyxia are relatively common, combination of several different forms of asphyxia is far less frequent. We present this unusual and very rare case of suicide by combination of 2 forms of asphyxia, that is, choking and hanging, along with autopsy findings and discussion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Airway Obstruction / pathology*
  • Asphyxia / pathology*
  • Forensic Pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neck Injuries / pathology*
  • Prisoners
  • Pulmonary Edema / pathology
  • Purpura / pathology
  • Suicide*
  • Tracheostomy / instrumentation*