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Medical suicide -- groin stabbing
P A S Edirisinghe1, A Busuttil
1Section of Forensic Medicine, Department of Pathology, The University of Edinburgh, Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH 8 9AG, United Kingdom.
Journal of Clinical Forensic Medicine
|November 9, 2005
Summary
A physician died from self-inflicted stab wounds to the groin, targeting femoral arteries. This rare suicidal method highlights how medical knowledge may influence the choice of injury site.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- A 50-year-old male, a medical doctor with a history of depression post-cancer treatment, died from self-inflicted injuries.
- The case involves exsanguination resulting from both stab wounds to the groin and cutting injuries to the neck.
Observation:
- Postmortem examination identified stab wounds precisely located over the femoral arteries in the groin.
- The femoral arteries are anatomically significant as the site for clinical palpation of the femoral pulse.
Findings:
- The pattern of suicidal stabbing observed in this case is highly uncommon.
- The deceased's medical knowledge is hypothesized to have influenced the selection of the groin, specifically the femoral arteries, as the injury site.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for individuals with medical expertise to utilize their knowledge in self-harm, choosing anatomically vulnerable sites.
- It highlights the importance of considering a patient's professional background when assessing suicide risk, particularly in those with mental health conditions.
- The findings contribute to the understanding of unusual suicide methods and the psychological impact of cancer treatment and depression.
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