Journal Published Online: 01 November 1991
Volume 36, Issue 6

Autoerotic Asphyxial Death Initially Misinterpreted as Suicide and a Review of the Literature

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Death during autoerotic activities is of special concern to law enforcement officials, medical examiners, the family of the decedent, and society in general. As in the probing of any violent demise, accurate identification, management, and preservation of all physical evidence; complete photographic documentation of the scene and the body; reconstruction of the scene; and interviews with the family and acquaintances (psychological autopsy) are mandatory for proper study, evaluation, and interpretation of the case. Because of a lack of knowledge on the part of many people, including professionals, about these activities and the fact that many autoerotic fatalities share common characteristics with suicide and homicide, these cases are often misinterpreted. The authors present a case of autoerotic accidental asphyxial death which was initially misinterpreted as suicide.

Author Information

Garza-Leal, JA
School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, N.L., Mexico C.P.
Landrón, FJ
Institute of Forensic Sciences, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Pages: 7
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS13200J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13200J