Changing trends in suicides using helium or nitrogen - A 15-year study.

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Toxicology
• Public Health

Background:

• Suicides involving inert gases like helium and nitrogen have been documented.
• Trends in gas selection for asphyxial suicides require ongoing monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends in helium versus nitrogen gas use in suicides.
• To identify potential shifts in the preferred gas for asphyxial deaths.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of autopsy cases from Forensic Science SA files (2003-2017).
• Inclusion criteria: suicides involving helium or nitrogen gas inhalation.
• Data comparison based on gas type, demographics, and time intervals.

Main Results:

• Nitrogen-related deaths increased 16-fold, rising from 20% to 52% of cases.
• Helium-related deaths showed a plateau, decreasing from 80% to 48% of cases.
• Overall deaths involving these gases steadily increased from 5 (2003-2007) to 31 (2013-2017).

Conclusions:

• Nitrogen inhalation appears to be increasingly superseding helium in asphyxial suicides.
• Further research with larger populations and diverse communities is needed to confirm this trend.
• Monitoring these methods is crucial for public health surveillance and intervention strategies.