Suicidal Hanging on High‐Voltage Line Pylon

• Published in: Journal of forensic sciences Vol. 53; no. 5; pp. 1200 - 1203
• Main Authors: Törő, Klára, Kristóf, István, Kardos, Magdolna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.09.2008; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Asphyxia - etiology; Asphyxia - pathology; Electric Injuries - etiology; Electric Injuries - pathology; electrocution; Electrocutions; Forensic Pathology; forensic science; Forensic sciences; Humans; Male; Males; medico‐legal evaluation; Neck Injuries - pathology; Purpura - pathology; Skin - injuries; Skin - pathology; suicidal hanging; Suicide; Suicides & suicide attempts; Young Adult; Young adults
• ISSN: 0022-1198; 1556-4029
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00842.x

:  Hanging is one of the most frequent methods for suicides among young males. This report presents two cases of suicide by hanging on pylons carrying high‐voltage power lines. The male victims suffered electrocution while committing suicide. Electrocution was the cause of death in both cases, however in one case blunt force injuries from hanging contributed to death. In these two cases hanging was the intentional method of suicide and it was followed by electrocution. The cases demonstrate that scene investigation, a detailed autopsy with histology, and amamnestic data are essential in the evaluation of suicides by hanging and that the determination of the cause of death remains a challenge in investigating such cases.