Journal Published Online: 01 March 2000
Volume 45, Issue 2

The Chain Saw: An Uncommon Means of Committing Suicide

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

A suicide committed with a power saw is an uncommonly reported incident; and the use of a chain saw in particular has been extremely rare. We report two cases of suicide that were committed by using chain saws. In each case the victim had a history of depression or of a prior suicide attempt, and applied the chain saw to his neck to kill himself. We summarize the findings of the two death investigations and the world literature pertaining to suicide committed with power saws.

Author Information

Campman, SC
The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner, OAFME—AFIP Annex, Rockville, Maryland
Springer, FA
Sacramento County District Attorney, Laboratory of Forensic Services
Henrikson, DM
Northern California Forensic Pathology, Sacramento, CA
Pages: 3
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: JFS14709J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14709J