Asphyxial Death Using Plastic Bag.
- Author:
Gi Yeong HUH
1
;
Kwang Hoon KIM
;
Gam Rae JO
;
Yong Woo AHN
;
Sang Yong LEE
;
Byeong Ok HONG
Author Information
1. Institute of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea. gyhuh@pusan.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
asphyxia;
plastic bag;
manner of death
- MeSH:
Adhesives;
Adult;
Asphyxia;
Autopsy;
Female;
Head;
Humans;
Neck;
Plastics;
Suicide;
Violence
- From:Korean Journal of Legal Medicine
2010;34(1):72-74
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
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.
