Journal Published Online: 25 May 2005
Volume 50, Issue 4

Suicide by Pencil

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

We report an unusual suicide, committed with a common pencil. A 72-year-old male inflicted himself a penetrating thoracic wound while being hospitalized for a hip prosthesis operation. Although the patient was immediately operated, the cardiac injury appeared to be fatal. Cases of suicidal penetrating wounds of the anterior chest wall are rare and they are mostly inflicted by knives, glass fragments, or other sharp instruments. The potential danger of a pencil should be taken into consideration, especially in psychiatric hospitals and imprisonment facilities. We examined the legislation in Italy and Finland concerning the regulation of privacy in special care institutions.

Author Information

Grimaldi, L
Institute of Legal Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
Giorgio, FD
Institute of Legal Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
Masullo, M
Institute of Legal Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
Zoccai, GB
Institute of Cardiology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
Martinotti, G
Institute of Psychiatry, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
Rainio, J
Institute of Legal Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
Pages: 2
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Stock #: JFS2004496
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2004496