Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
13:04
Measuring the Subjective Value of Risky and Ambiguous Options using Experimental Economics and Functional MRI Methods
Published on: September 19, 2012
Russian roulette and risk-taking behavior: a medical examiner study
Lisa B E Shields1, John C Hunsaker, Donna M Stewart
1Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Louisville, KY 40204, USA.
The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
|September 15, 2009
Summary
Fatal Russian roulette, a dangerous act of bravado, often involves young men under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This study confirms Russian roulette incidents are considered suicides due to the deliberate nature of the act.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Public Health
- Toxicology
Background:
- Russian roulette is a fatal act of extreme bravado involving a loaded firearm.
- Victims are typically young men, often influenced by alcohol or drugs, and in the presence of others.
- This behavior is legally and ethically classified as suicide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze cases of Russian roulette from a 10-year retrospective review.
- To compare characteristics of Russian roulette participants with other firearm suicides.
- To investigate the role of substance influence in Russian roulette fatalities.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the head (1993-2002).
- Focused analysis on cases identified as Russian roulette incidents.
- Examination of demographic data and toxicology reports (blood ethanol, urine drugs).
Main Results:
- Identified 24 incidents of Russian roulette.
- Victims were predominantly white males (79.2%), aged 14-47 (mean 24.8 years).
- Russian roulette participants showed higher rates of elevated blood ethanol and detected urine drugs compared to other firearm suicides.
Conclusions:
- Russian roulette is a distinct form of suicide, characterized by extreme risk-taking.
- Substance influence (ethanol, other drugs) is significantly associated with Russian roulette.
- The deliberate actions in Russian roulette support its classification as suicide.
Related Concept Videos
01:52Regression Toward the Mean
Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
01:22Bias
Bias refers to any tendency that prevents a question from being considered unprejudiced. In research, bias occurs when one outcome or answer is selected or encouraged over others in sampling or testing. Bias can occur during any research phase, including study design, data collection, analysis, and publication.
In statistics, a sampling bias is created when a sample is collected from a population, and some members of the population are not as likely to be chosen as others (remember, each member...
In statistics, a sampling bias is created when a sample is collected from a population, and some members of the population are not as likely to be chosen as others (remember, each member...