Korean J Leg Med.  2019 Nov;43(4):159-163. 10.7580/kjlm.2019.43.4.159.

Three Cases of Planned Complex Suicide

• Kim DY
• Lee S

• KMID: 2464494
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7580/kjlm.2019.43.4.159

Abstract

Complex suicide refers to a type of suicide that leads to death using two or more methods. We report three cases of unique and rare examples of complex suicide, with the plan of the second and/or third method working simultaneously if the first suicidal attempt had failed. In the first case, the victim used three methods of asphyxia: hanging by a safety belt, plastic bag suffocation, and self-ligature strangulation by stretching rubber bands within the vehicle. In the second case, the victim hanged himself with electrocution by attaching electrical leads to the right side of his head. In the third case, the victim with the intention of drowning jumped 20 m above the water surface on the bridge by tying metal chains to the bridge rail and self-immolation by gasoline. Planned complex suicide involves more successful methods to commit suicide and may conversely be camouflaged as suicide in murder case.

Keyword

Planned suicide; Complex suicide; Asphyxia

MeSH Terms

Asphyxia
Drowning
Gasoline
Head
Homicide
Intention
Methods
Plastics
Rubber
Suicide*
Water
Gasoline
Plastics
Rubber
Water

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 The suspension was created by passing the passenger's seat belt through the passenger's headrest height control bar and attaching it to the handle above the rear window, with a kitchen plastic bag on the head and a stretched rubber band wrapped around the neck.

• 

  Fig. 2 The lines were about 390 cm long and 0.3 cm thick, making them circular in one layer. A single layer of string was crossed from behind the neck into an X shape and hung on the front handle of the treadmill at a height of 125 cm. Passing through both side handles of the treadmill and pulling the right leg into the cord secured the suspension point.

• 

  Fig. 3 The deceased victim was found to have removed the wire sheath of the electrical cord, tied it up with plastic rope, wrapped the wire around the sizing band behind the cap, and hung the stripped wire over his right ear.

• 

  Fig. 4 The scene of the incident is a bridge on a local road and is about 20 m high from the surface of the water. The deceased victim was burned, wearing only shoes, with chains on the bridge railings hanging the victim off the bridge (circle).

• 

  Fig. 5 The chain was secured with two layers with a quick link to the suspension point and to the knot in the neck.

Reference

1. Toro K, Pollak S. Complex suicide versus complicated suicide. Forensic Sci Int. 2009; 184:6–9.

2. Germerott T, Jaenisch S, Hatch G, et al. Planned complex suicide: self-strangulation and plaster ingestion. Forensic Sci Int. 2010; 202:e35–e37.

3. Banchini A, Schirripa ML, Anzillotti L, et al. Planned and unplanned complex suicides: casuistry of the Institute of Legal Medicine of Parma (Italy). Leg Med (Tokyo). 2017; 29:62–67.

4. Kim DY, Lee S. Self-ligature strangulation by utilizing recliner. Korean J Leg Med. 2019; 43:111–114.

5. Straka L, Novomesky F, Stuller F, et al. A planned complex suicide by gunshot and vehicular crash. Forensic Sci Int. 2013; 228:e50–e53.

6. Pelissier-Alicot AL, Gavaudan G, Bartoli C, et al. Planned complex suicide: an unusual case. J Forensic Sci. 2008; 53:968–970.

7. Barranco R, Diana C, Ventura F. Forensic pathological study of complex and complicated suicides: a twelve-year case series in Genoa (Italy). J Forensic Leg Med. 2019; 65:5–8.

8. Alunni V, Grevin G, Buchet L, et al. An amazing case of fatal self-immolation. Forensic Sci Int. 2014; 244:e30–e33.

9. Sauvageau A, Boghossian E. Classification of asphyxia: the need for standardization. J Forensic Sci. 2010; 55:1259–1267.

10. Christin E, Hiquet J, Fougas J, et al. A planned complex suicide by self-stabbing and vehicular crash: an original case and review of the literature. Forensic Sci Int. 2018; 285:e13–e16.