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Nitrogen inhalation suicide pacts.
Roger W Byard1,2, Carl Winskog2, Karen Heath1,2
11 School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Australia.
Medicine, Science, and the Law
|February 15, 2019
Summary
This study found only two cases of suicide pacts using nitrogen gas over 15 years. This method is rare but may increase as information on inert gas suicide spreads.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Suicide pacts involve mutual arrangement for simultaneous death.
- Inert gas inhalation (nitrogen, helium) is common in solitary suicides.
- These methods are rarely documented in suicide pacts.
Observation:
- A 15-year autopsy review (2003-2017) at Forensic Science SA identified two suicide pact cases using nitrogen gas.
- Case 1: Elderly couple, one with multiple sclerosis, found deceased in a vehicle with nitrogen cylinders.
- Case 2: Elderly couple, one with ischemic heart disease, found deceased with plastic bags connected to nitrogen cylinders.
Findings:
- Both cases resulted in death by nitrogen-induced asphyxiation.
- In Case 2, nitrogen asphyxiation was augmented by plastic-bag asphyxia.
- Nitrogen gas inhalation is an uncommon method for suicide pacts.
Implications:
- Traditional suicide pact methods include carbon monoxide and drug overdose.
- Increased awareness of inert gas use in individual suicides may influence future pact methods.
- Forensic analysis of joint suicides should consider emerging methods like inert gas inhalation.
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