[A suicidal case of electrocution with hypnotic drug poisoning: an autopsy report]

A 28-year-old male was found dead on a bed in a hotel. He had two electric wires, the ends of which were fastened to each coin (50 and 100 yen); the coins were attached to a left hypochondrial region and a left side of the chest. The other ends of the wires were connected to a time switch, which had been connected to a plug top (100 V, 60 Hz alternating current). An empty box of a commercially available hypnotic (bromvalerylurea), a suicide note and a manual book for suicide were found at the spot. As autopsy findings, both burns on the left hypochondrial region and on the left side of the chest were carbonized at their central parts and erythemas were also noted around them. Histological findings were consistent with electric marks and the burns showed vital reactions. Copper stain was slightly positive; iron stain was negative. Bromvalerylurea concentrations in blood, urine, brain, liver and kidney samples were 14.5, 37.7, 5.8, 5.2 and 6.2 micrograms/ml or g, respectively. The blood level showed that he had been moderately intoxicated by the drug, but not fatal. The cause of death was thus judged to be suicidal electrocution. It seems that suicide was influenced by a "Manual Book of Suicide", which was found in his bag.