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Related Experiment Videos

Plastic bag asphyxia in southeast Scotland.

L S Jones1, J P Wyatt, A Busuttil

  • 1Forensic Medicine Unit, University Medical School, Edinburgh, UK.

The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
|January 11, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Plastic bag asphyxia causes 30 deaths over 15 years in Edinburgh, primarily through suicide. Most suicides involved individuals with chronic psychiatric illness, and accidental deaths were rare.

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Area of Science:

  • Forensic Medicine
  • Toxicology
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Plastic bag asphyxia is a recognized cause of death, yet its epidemiology and pathophysiology remain poorly understood.
  • This study examines deaths attributed to plastic bag asphyxia over a 15-year period in Edinburgh.

Observation:

  • A total of 30 deaths (20 males, 10 females; age 13-81) were identified from 14,560 autopsies between 1984 and 1998.
  • Alcohol was present in 11 cases, with 4 exceeding 80 mg/dl. Inhaled substances may have contributed to 5 deaths.
  • The majority of deaths (27) were suicides, predominantly among individuals with chronic psychiatric illness (59%). Accidental deaths were infrequent (3 cases).

Findings:

  • The study found that plastic bag asphyxia deaths were difficult to predict and prevent.

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  • Unlike some reports, increased publicity did not correlate with a rise in deaths from this cause in this series.
  • The absence of childhood accidental deaths may indicate successful preventive strategies.

    • Implications:

    • Findings highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies, particularly for individuals with psychiatric comorbidities.
    • Understanding the contributing factors, including potential substance inhalation, is crucial for forensic investigations.
    • Further research into the pathophysiology and risk factors associated with plastic bag asphyxia is warranted.