Sharp force fatalities: Differentiating homicide from suicide through a retrospective review (2012–2019) of autopsy findings in Lisbon (Portugal)

Manso, Nuno Lupi; Ribeiro, Isabel Pinto; Inácio, Ana

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110959

Cited by 11 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Twelve articles were excluded for the reasons listed in Figure 1. Four studies met all inclusion criteria [7, 11, 14, 15].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Only the article by Karlsson [15] described the number of sharp force homicides and suicides that reported injuries in specific anatomical regions, allowing LR to be calculated for each of them. Other articles [7, 11, 14] only reported the overall distribution of injuries in suicidal and homicidal cases and cannot be used for the purpose of this study, as frequencies cannot be extrapolated.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The result of toxicological analysis regarding the blood‐alcohol presence was reported in three papers [7, 14, 15] as “ under the influence of ” or as “ alcohol detected .” To ensure a broader inclusion, the presence of blood‐alcohol was divided into “ detected ” and “ not detected ,” even if a cut‐off could not be identified due to the absence of quantitative data.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The history of psychiatric illness was reported in two papers [7, 11] as “ present ” and “ absent ,” and the same classification was used.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During investigative proceedings of sharp force trauma, as well as at trial, the forensic expert can provide key elements for decision makers, enabling them to reach an opinion regarding the manner of death. In such context, a forensic pathologist can be asked to define if a sharp force fatality is the consequence of a suicide or of a homicide, as accidental sharp force fatalities are very rare and often have an unequivocal mode of death [7] based on the evidence observed during death/crime scene investigation, autopsy, toxicological examinations, and other ancillary investigations. Criteria for the differentiation of self‐inflicted injuries from injuries inflicted by another person are described in classic and modern textbooks of forensic pathology, and include anatomical site, number of injuries, hesitation wounds, type and localization of the weapon, clothing analysis, psychiatric history, and scene/autopsy findings [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Homicide or suicide? A probabilistic approach for the evaluation of the manner of death in sharp force fatalities

Irmici,

D'Aleo,

Pelletti

et al. 2023

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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The role of forensic science can be defined as providing relevant opinions to assist investigators and courts of law in answering questions. The Likelihood Ratio (LR) provides a quantitative and logical approach to communicating the strength of expert evidence. We reviewed existing forensic literature on sharp force fatalities, focusing on studies reporting the manner of death and the frequency of some characteristics that are traditionally assessed. Four studies were included, resulting in a database of 173 suicides and 354 homicides. The LR of each of the characteristic under both hypotheses (suicide and homicide) was obtained. Subsequently, the LR was computed in six fatalities with known manner of death, three suicides and three homicides, by multiplying the corresponding LR of each individual characteristic. LR ranged from 115 to 140,250 in suicidal cases and from 9 to 2728 in homicidal cases. Compared to other fields of forensic science where LR is used extensively, the values obtained in our cases of sharp force fatalities is low. However, in forensic pathology there is evidence that is outside the expert's opinion, and it is for the trier of fact, such as the judge or jury, to draw conclusions. Nevertheless, the LR serves as a tool for interpreting and weighing evidence while maintaining the distinct roles of the trier of fact and the expert. To comprehensively apply the LR in the field of sharp force deaths, it will be necessary to standardize the methodology of investigation and data collection in descriptive studies.

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“…Twelve articles were excluded for the reasons listed in Figure 1. Four studies met all inclusion criteria [7, 11, 14, 15].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The history of psychiatric illness was reported in two papers [7, 11] as “ present ” and “ absent ,” and the same classification was used.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Homicide or suicide? A probabilistic approach for the evaluation of the manner of death in sharp force fatalities

Irmici,

D'Aleo,

Pelletti

et al. 2023

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Review of patterns in homicides by sharp force: one institution’s experience

Handlos

Švecová

Vrtková

et al. 2023

Forensic Sci Med Pathol

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This paper presents a retrospective review of patterns found in cases of homicides by sharp force over a 13-year period at the Department of Forensic Pathology of the Ostrava University Hospital, Czech Republic. The review summarizes all frequently discussed aspects of such cases including the number and localization of injuries, the presence of defensive wounds, the type of the offending weapon, the cause of death, the place of death, victims’ and perpetrators’ profiles, their relationship, or toxicological findings. Furthermore, special attention was paid to the evaluation of any accompanying blunt force trauma that may be indicative of an escalation of the assault. The set of data was statistically analyzed. Even though most of the results of this review are consistent with available published studies, noteworthy differences have emerged in some aspects such as the sex and age of the victims, the relationship between the number of injuries suffered and the victims’ sex, or the severity of alcohol intoxication in victims.

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A Swedish nationwide forensic study of the manner of death in single stab injuries to the trunk

Berg von Linde,

Acosta,

Khoshnood

et al. 2024

Forensic Science International

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Sharp force fatalities: Differentiating homicide from suicide through a retrospective review (2012–2019) of autopsy findings in Lisbon (Portugal)

Cited by 11 publications

References 43 publications

Homicide or suicide? A probabilistic approach for the evaluation of the manner of death in sharp force fatalities

Homicide or suicide? A probabilistic approach for the evaluation of the manner of death in sharp force fatalities

Review of patterns in homicides by sharp force: one institution’s experience

A Swedish nationwide forensic study of the manner of death in single stab injuries to the trunk

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