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Autoerotic deaths: a 25-year retrospective epidemiological study
1Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. anny.sauvageau@gmail.com
The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
|April 2, 2011
Summary
Autoerotic deaths are often overestimated. A study in Alberta found an incidence of 0.56 per million, suggesting a lower rate than commonly cited for Canada.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Commonly cited figures for autoerotic deaths in North America are estimations, not based on rigorous study.
- Previous estimates suggest 500-1000 annual deaths in the US and Canada, based on unpublished data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the actual incidence of autoerotic deaths in Alberta, Canada.
- To compare findings with existing, potentially inaccurate, estimates.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study analyzing medico-legal records in Alberta from 1985 to 2009.
- Identification of 38 confirmed cases of autoerotic deaths.
Main Results:
- An incidence rate of 0.56 autoerotic deaths per million inhabitants per year was calculated for Alberta.
- Deaths primarily involved asphyxial methods, with common locations including basements, bedrooms, and bathrooms.
- Incidence was higher in urban areas and showed a slight seasonal increase in summer.
Conclusions:
- The widely cited estimate of 500-1000 annual autoerotic deaths is not applicable to Canada.
- A more accurate incidence for Canada is estimated at 0.2-0.5 cases per million inhabitants per year.
- Epidemiological studies are needed to reassess the incidence of autoerotic deaths in the United States.
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