Observation of 17 Asphyxial Suicides by Helium Gas.
10.7580/kjlm.2013.37.2.78
- Author:
Hyoung Soo LIM
;
Kyung Won HAHM
;
Hyun Wook KANG
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Asphyxiation;
Helium;
Plastic bag;
Suicide
- MeSH:
Crime;
Depression;
Female;
Head;
Helium;
Humans;
Inhalation;
Korea;
Male;
Plastics;
Police;
Suicide;
Suicide, Assisted
- From:Korean Journal of Legal Medicine
2013;37(2):78-83
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
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.
