Observation of 17 Asphyxial Suicides by Helium Gas / 대한법의학회지

Since the book "Final Exit: The Practicalities of Self-Deliverance and Assisted Suicide for the Dying" was published in 1991, there has been a worldwide increase in the number of cases of suicidal asphyxiation using helium gas. However, no domestic reports have been published thus far. Recently, we encountered a case of asphyxial suicide by inhalation of helium from inside a plastic bag. Subsequently, we reviewed the records of the Scientific Crime Analysis System of National Police Agency of Korea. There were 17 cases of helium-associated asphyxial suicides between January 1, 2000 and June 30, 2012. The average age of the deceased was 30.6 years with a male to female ratio of approximately 5:1. Thirteen of 17 such deaths occurred in the victims'houses. In all cases, the method of death involved placing a plastic bag over the head with a hose attached to helium tanks. In 6 of 17 cases, the decedents had psychiatric disorders such as depression. As neither characteristic signs of death nor conventional methods for detecting helium gas exist, a thorough investigation of the death scene and the decedents'environment is extremely vital for confirming death due to helium asphyxiation.

Asphyxial Death Using Plastic Bag / 대한법의학회지

Asphyxia due to plastic bag is not common. The manner of death may be accidental, suicidal or homicidal. We report an asphyxial death using plastic bag, giving us difficulty in determining the manner of death, suicidal or homicidal. A 32-year-old female was found dead in bathroom and her head was wrapped in a supermarket shopping bag sealed with adhesive tape around the neck. Strangely she was handcuffed behind the back of the victim. Because of no evidence of violence on the body and the presence of a suicide note at the scene, the manner of death was concluded as suicide. This case emphasizes that the interpretation of postmortem examination should be incorporated with the proper investigation of circumstances at the scene of death to determine the manner of death.

Stability of Blood Preservation SolutionⅠin PVC Plastic Bag / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the stability of blood preservation solutionⅠin polyvinyl chloride(PVC)plastic bag in the valid period.METHODS:3batches of samples were divided into2groups,in group one,each sample was covered with outer packaging bag of polypropylene laminated film,and samples in group two were covered with no outer packaging bag,both groups were stored at room temperature,and stability test was conducted by observing samples.RESULTS:(2.95?0.05)%was the samples,content without outer packaging bag after they had been stored for2years,while less than0.5%water was lost in the samples covered during the same period.CONCLUSION:It is proper to add outer packaging bag of polypropylene laminated film to blood preservation solutionⅠin PVC plastic bag.