Observation of 17 Asphyxial Suicides by Helium Gas / 대한법의학회지
Korean Journal of Legal Medicine
; : 78-83, 2013.
Article
em Ko
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-35116
Biblioteca responsável:
WPRO
ABSTRACT
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.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
WPRIM
Assunto principal:
Plásticos
/
Suicídio
/
Inalação
/
Polícia
/
Suicídio Assistido
/
Crime
/
Depressão
/
Cabeça
/
Hélio
/
Coreia (Geográfico)
Limite:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
Ko
Revista:
Korean Journal of Legal Medicine
Ano de publicação:
2013
Tipo de documento:
Article