Death with complete decapitation: report of four suicides by train

Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2009 Sep;30(3):303-6. doi: 10.1097/PAF.0b013e318187df18.

Abstract

Suicide by train with complete voluntary decapitation is an extremely rare event, however, well known and reported in the scientific literature. The authors analyze 4 cases of suicide with complete decapitation by main line or underground train that were subjected to medico-legal autopsies at the Milan Institute of Legal Medicine between 1995 and 2006. Personal, circumstantial, autopsy, and toxicological data were analyzed to define the type and pathologic characteristics of the injuries (vital reaction of wound edges, absence of any signs of defense); alcohol and drug consumption was considered and the victim's psychical profile was outlined.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cannabinoids / blood
  • Central Nervous System Depressants / blood
  • Cervical Vertebrae / injuries
  • Cervical Vertebrae / pathology
  • Decapitation / pathology*
  • Depression / psychology
  • Ethanol / blood
  • Female
  • Forensic Pathology
  • Fractures, Comminuted / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Railroads*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Spinal Fractures / pathology
  • Suicide*

Substances

  • Cannabinoids
  • Central Nervous System Depressants
  • Ethanol