Train-related suicidal decapitation.

Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology
Samantha Woolery, Joseph A Prahlow

Abstract

Suicide by decapitation as a primary method of injury is not common. When decapitation does occur in association with suicide, it may be a secondary consequence of the primary method of suicide, for example massive blunt force trauma, or hanging with a significant drop; however, primary suicidal decapitation has been described specifically in the context of railway incidents wherein victims lie across railroad tracks in-front of oncoming trains. Herein we report the case of a 49-year-old male who was decapitated after lying-down with his neck atop a railroad track in a railroad stockyard. He was subsequently run over by a train as it began to move to leave the stockyard. This case of train-assisted suicide occurs less often than the more common modality of suicide by train wherein victims stand or jump in front of a moving train or lay their body across the railroad tracks in order to be struck by an oncoming train.

References

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Jan 11, 2007·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Stéphanie RacetteAnny Sauvageau
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May 9, 2012·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Petr HejnaLenka Zátopková
Jan 11, 2014·BMC Public Health·Lay San TooRoderick McClure
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Jul 11, 2018·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Silke Bachmann
Mar 1, 2016·Academic Forensic Pathology·Amanda M McLemoreJoseph A Prahlow

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