[hermantheshocker]

TL;DR
Italy. A 36-year old male was found dead inside a pub bathroom lying in a pool of blood. A small single-edged knife was discovered on the top of the water cistern. Multiple sharp weapon wounds at the usual sites of self-inflicted injuries were reported. Based on circumstantial evidence and autopsy findings, there was no doubt that this was a suicide.

It was possible to hypothesize a carotid artery injury as a bloodstain pattern compatible with high-pressure blood exiting from a severed artery. At autopsy 39 stab and incised wounds were found. Neck observation revealed three deep-cut injuries. On the chest, there were nine stab wounds. Death was attributed to hemorrhagic shock following left radial artery injury.


Fig.1 The crime scene and the weapon. Note the weapon on the top of the toilet.

Case report
A 36-year old male was found dead in a prone position inside a pub bathroom (Fig 1). Witnesses reported having seen the victim entering the bathroom and stated that at the moment he did not show any particular behavior which could raise suspicion of what he was about to do.


Fig.2 Neck and thorax lesions.


Fig.3 The weapon.

A small single-edged blood-stained knife with a 10 cm-blade in length and a width of 1.5 cm approximately at the ricasso (Fig. 3) was discovered on the top of the water cistern by the police officer. The first inspection revealed clothing laceration in the left sternal region, multiple sharp weapon wounds at the usual sites of self-inflicted injuries – like the neck and the forearms – and multiple stab injuries in the chest. Due to the multiple and cavity-deep neck cut wounds, it was possible to hypothesize a carotid artery injury as a bloodstain pattern compatible with high-pressure blood exiting from a severed artery.

An autopsy was performed 48 h after death. The body presented no rigor mortis, as it had already completely resolved, and faint post-mortem livor mortis on the back because of the position change during crime scene investigation. A total of 39 stab and incised wounds during the post-mortem external examination were found:

1. The neck showed on the left side three deep cut injuries (the bigger one 8 cm long) (Fig. 2) with hesitation marks but none reached the vagus nerve, the left internal jugular vein, or the carotid artery (Fig. 6). The wound tracts were directed downwards and to the right, thus it was inferred that the victim was right-handed as it was later confirmed by his relatives.
2. Chest observation revealed nine stab wounds (measuring 1– 3 cm in length) covering an area of 7 cm in the vertical plane and 4.5 cm in the horizontal plane (Fig. 2). The fourth, fifth, and seventh ribs were involved and an injury punctured the heart apex leading to an 80 ml haemopericardium.
3. Right forearm flexor surface presented 14 incised wounds, every one superficial and of the same length (6 cm approximately) (Fig. 4).
4. The left forearm flexor surface showed 13 parallel transverse cut wounds, ranging in length between 4 cm and 8 cm (Fig. 5). Twelve of these were superficial and one was deep enough to sever the radial artery with a 2.5cm linear scratch.

Fig.4 Multiple cutting wounds at the right forearm.


Fig.5 Fatal radial artery injury in a complex of multiple cutting wounds at the left forearm.


Fig.6 Absence of lesions of the carotid artery.

All the wound edges were clean and showed hemorrhagic infiltration. All internal organs were pale. The victim neither had a psychiatric history, differently from what is usually described in cases of suicide nor had attempted suicide before. Moreover, toxicological examinations were negative for drugs and alcohol in the blood and urine. After the evaluation of all the wounds, death was ascribed to hemorrhagic shock following left radial artery injury.

Differing from usual suicides with knives – which are quite common and broadly described in the literature – some exceptional cases deserve specific attention as of the peculiar way they have been carried out. The incidence is more common in males.


Fig.7 The crime scene.

Generally, multiple stab and incised wounds raise a homicide suspicion as the incidence of suicidal self-stabbing is low among suicides. However circumstantial evidence, the statements of the pub owner and the witnesses, autopsy findings, the absence of defensive wounds on the body, the presence of injuries located in accessible sites for the victim’s hands, and the morphological characteristics (length, depth, direction, vitality) of the wounds, plus finally the presence of the offending weapon near the body of the deceased, left no doubt that this was a suicide. Thus, the authors suggest that a complete forensic approach by means of crime scene investigation, autopsy as well as toxicological analysis is fundamental in discriminating between homicide and suicide.

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This post is for educational purposes only and is nonprofit. Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. No copyright infringement intended. All the images have been upscaled and sharpened/enhanced. Some of the text might have been shortened and simplified, and/or reorganized for online view. Original case report by Bonsignore A., Gallo M., Portunato F., De Stefano F. - Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine 2010.

[WonderMomma]

Damn.... crazy shit! Also another way I would never choose to off myself.

Great post Herman!

[Karma]

That took some dedication. Not particularly quick way to off yourself. Wow.

[rohmell]

Thanks for posting!

[noob1974]

Brilliant

[dogleg818]

Obviously he didn't invest in Nair.

[anorexorcist]

Wow, thank you once again for the awesome post!

[normdiaz]

Anyone compensating the pub for the cleanup

[Sa Bal]

I scream like a banshee when I get a paper cut ffs how did he not ?

[crispy1]

He spewed blood all over that stall.