Suicidal cut-throat and stab fatalities: three case reports

Abstract

Fatalities resulting from sharp force injuries may be of accidental, homicidal or suicidal origin. Cut-throat and cut-stab wounds are "effective" in homicidal attacks with sharp objects, e. g. knifes, while accidental injuries in this topographic region caused by sharp objects are rarely seen and most often caused by broken glass. Self-inflicted cut throat and stab wounds are uncommon but nevertheless a well recognized method of suicide. In these cases, presence or absence of particular features (e.g., hesitation marks, defensive wounds) can allow distinction between suicide and homicide, especially if further circumstances, i.e. atypical crime scene scenarios or missing suicide notes, need the forensic pathologist to have an incredulous approach regarding the manner of death. The present article describes three cases of suicidal cut throat and stab wounds-crime scene investigations as well as medical history and autopsy findings are discussed.

Homicidal Cut Throat: The Forensic Perspective

“…Multiple, parallel, superficial cuts found above and below the deep fatal cut in homicides suggest that the deceased attempted to get away, his head was not sufficiently immobilized by restrain and he was intoxicated or tortured [8]. In this case, the alcohol level was negative and there were no such superficial cuts.…”

“…The wound inflicted deepening at the beginning and then tails off at the opposite side of the neck [8]. The gradually deepening left end should be the beginning [8] of the cut throat and was reconfirmed by the tail abrasion found at the right end. Therefore, the direction of this cut throat should be left to right.…”

“…The knife is drawn across the neck, from left to right by a right-handed assailant and from right to left by a left-handed individual [6]. The wound inflicted deepening at the beginning and then tails off at the opposite side of the neck [8]. The gradually deepening left end should be the beginning [8] of the cut throat and was reconfirmed by the tail abrasion found at the right end.…”

“Surgically created” excision of the back mimicking homicide: report of an unusual case

“…Surgical excisions are widely utilized in plastic surgery for karskiego, a nawet prowadzić do fałszywych ustaleń dotyczących rodzaju śmierci [5][6][7].…”

“…Atypical wound morphology, wound multiplicity or suspicious anatomical locality in conjunction with unclear scene findings may constitute a confusing picture during a medico-legal death investigation, or even lead to false manner-of-death interpretation [5][6][7].…”