Asphyxial suicide by inhalation of helium inside a plastic bag

Schön, Corinna Ariane; Ketterer, Thomas (2007). Asphyxial suicide by inhalation of helium inside a plastic bag. American journal of forensic medicine & pathology, 28(4), pp. 364-367. Hagerstown, Md.: Wolters Kluwer Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 10.1097/PAF.0b013e31815b4c69

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Asphyxial suicide by placing a plastic bag over the head, especially in combination with inhalation of gases, is a rarely described method of committing suicide. This article reports a case of suicidal asphyxiation by inhaling the inert gas helium inside a plastic bag. A 64-year-old man probably followed the instructions described in an article about committing suicide written by a medical practitioner from Zürich. This form of suicide is recommended by right-to-die groups and in the internet as a certain, fast, and painless suicide method. Additionally, it leaves only seldom externally visible marks or pathomorphological findings on the body. If the plastic bag and other auxiliary means are removed by another person, the forensic death investigation of cause and manner of death may be very difficult. Therefore, the death scene investigation and the inquiry ordered in the environment of the deceased are very important.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Further Contribution)
Division/Institute:	04 Faculty of Medicine > Service Sector > Institute of Legal Medicine
UniBE Contributor:	Schön, Corinna, Ketterer, Thomas
ISSN:	0195-7910
ISBN:	18043029
Publisher:	Wolters Kluwer Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Language:	English
Submitter:	Factscience Import
Date Deposited:	04 Oct 2013 14:56
Last Modified:	05 Dec 2022 14:17
Publisher DOI:	10.1097/PAF.0b013e31815b4c69
PubMed ID:	18043029
Web of Science ID:	000251355900019
URI:	https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/23913 (FactScience: 45130)