Observation of 17 Asphyxial Suicides by Helium Gas / 대한법의학회지
Korean Journal of Legal Medicine
; : 78-83, 2013.
Article
in Ko
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-35116
Responsible library:
WPRO
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 51. 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.
Key words
Full text:
1
Index:
WPRIM
Main subject:
Plastics
/
Suicide
/
Inhalation
/
Police
/
Suicide, Assisted
/
Crime
/
Depression
/
Head
/
Helium
/
Korea
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
Ko
Journal:
Korean Journal of Legal Medicine
Year:
2013
Type:
Article