Suicidal decapitation by guillotine: case report and review of the literature

Journal of Forensic Sciences
Petr HejnaLenka Zátopková

Abstract

Suicidal decapitation is seldom encountered in forensic medicine practice. This study reports the analysis of a suicide committed by a 31-year-old man with a self-fabricated guillotine. The construction of the guillotine was very interesting and sophisticated. The guillotine-like blade with additional weight was placed in a large metal frame. The movement of the blade was controlled by the frame rails. The steel blade was triggered by a tensioned rubber band after releasing the safety catch. The cause of death was immediate exsanguination after complete severance of the neck. The suicide motive was most likely emotional distress after the death of his father. In medico-legal literature, there has been only one similar case of suicidal complete decapitation by a guillotine described.

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Citations

Nov 7, 2012·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Petr Hejna, Michael Bohnert
Jan 25, 2017·Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology·Pierre-Antoine Peyron, Eric Baccino
Jun 1, 2020·International Journal of Legal Medicine·Akiko IshigamiToshikazu Kondo
May 31, 2019·Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine·E MarchandD Gosset
Jun 10, 2021·Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology·Samantha Woolery, Joseph A Prahlow

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