Complex suicide – ripping the smokescreen

Abstract

Complex suicides involve two or more discrete method adopted to take one’s own life. Compared to death by simple suicide, cases of complex suicide often go unnoticed. As, these medico-legal cases are sent for toxicological analysis to ascertain cause of death, forensic science plays a vital role of in establishing complex suicide cases. We here focus on two cases of suicide by hanging where the deceased adopted complex life threatening combination for suicide. Chemical examination to ascertain presence of intoxicant in visceral tissues was carried out with the help of chemical tests, GC-HS, FTIR and GC-MS analysis. The toxicological investigation revealed presence naphthalene in stomach as well as asphyxia due to hanging as cause of death under the influence of alcohol. Thus, the method of suicide was more toward planned complex suicide that was revealed only after forensic examination. Complex suicide attempts need austere consideration from several segments of the society and all evidences must be given sufficient thoughtfulness as they play vital role in establishing death.