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Self-mutilation with needles

O Peschel1, P Betz, W Eisenmenger

  • 1Department of Legal Medicine, University of Munich, Germany.

Medicine, Science, and the Law
|April 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary
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This study reports two cases of self-mutilation involving needles. One case involved a patient with chronic schizophrenia who died by suicide, with needles found embedded in organs. The other involved self-inflicted cranial trauma from a knitting needle.

Area of Science:

  • Forensic pathology
  • Psychiatry
  • Medical toxicology

Background:

  • Self-mutilation, particularly with sharp objects like needles, is a rare but serious phenomenon.
  • Understanding the motivations and consequences of such acts is crucial for clinical and forensic contexts.

Observation:

  • Two distinct cases of severe self-mutilation using needles are presented.
  • Case 1: A deceased individual with chronic schizophrenia, who died by suicide via suffocation, had multiple needles embedded within the connective tissue of thoracic and abdominal organs.
  • Case 2: Another individual repeatedly manipulated their forehead with a knitting needle, causing a significant defect involving the skin and skull, and resulting in a major cerebral hemorrhage due to vessel injury.

Findings:

  • The autopsy in Case 1 revealed needles deeply integrated into organ connective tissue, suggesting prolonged or repeated insertion.

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  • In Case 2, the use of a knitting needle led to extensive soft tissue and bone defect, complicated by intracranial hemorrhage.
  • Both cases highlight the potential for severe, life-threatening consequences from self-inflicted needle trauma.

    • Implications:

    • These cases underscore the importance of considering self-inflicted needle injuries in forensic investigations, especially in individuals with psychiatric disorders.
    • The findings necessitate a thorough forensic and etiological analysis to understand the circumstances and contributing factors.
    • Recognition and management of such severe self-mutilation require a multidisciplinary approach involving psychiatry, surgery, and forensic medicine.