An unusual suicide by self-waterboarding: forensic pathological issues

Area of Science:

• Forensic Pathology
• Toxicology
• Medical Law

Background:

• Waterboarding (WB) is a coercive interrogation technique simulating drowning.
• This study examines a unique case involving self-inflicted waterboarding.

Observation:

• A 22-year-old male student was found deceased in a bathtub.
• The victim exhibited signs of self-waterboarding, including a soaked canvas bag over the head and bound hands.
• A showerhead was positioned to continuously soak the bag.

Findings:

• The cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation by drowning combined with suffocation from the waterlogged bag.
• The manner of death was investigated, differentiating between suicide and homicide.

Implications:

• This case highlights the potential for waterboarding techniques to be used in suicides.
• It underscores the need for a multidisciplinary forensic approach in complex death investigations.
• Serves as a reference for future forensic cases involving similar methods.