A singular case of complex suicide by hanging with hesitation marks by axe

We present a case of complex suicide concerning a 55-year-old man who hanged himself using a rope anchored to a beam on the terrace of his apartment. Multiple parallel linear wounds were observed on his head. At the crime scene, an axe stained with blood and hair was found resting against the wall adjacent to the stairs leading to the upper floor. Forensic investigations identify the cause of death as mechanical asphyxia due to the hanging, in a complex suicide characterized by hesitation marks inflicted on the head with an axe. This specific type of complex suicide has never been described in the literature.

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Publication Details

Journal
Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology
Published
2025-02-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-025-00964-2
Citations
3
Primary Topic
Restraint-Related Deaths
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
6.76
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article

A singular case of complex suicide by hanging with hesitation marks by axe

Biagio Solarino, Davide Ferorelli, Marcello Benevento, L Ambrosi et al.
3 citations
Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology
Restraint-Related Deaths
6.76
article

A singular case of complex suicide by hanging with hesitation marks by axe

Biagio Solarino, Davide Ferorelli, Marcello Benevento, L Ambrosi, Annachiara Vinci
article en
3 citations

Abstract

We present a case of complex suicide concerning a 55-year-old man who hanged himself using a rope anchored to a beam on the terrace of his apartment. Multiple parallel linear wounds were observed on his head. At the crime scene, an axe stained with blood and hair was found resting against the wall adjacent to the stairs leading to the upper floor. Forensic investigations identify the cause of death as mechanical asphyxia due to the hanging, in a complex suicide characterized by hesitation marks inflicted on the head with an axe. This specific type of complex suicide has never been described in the literature.

Forensic Science Medicine and PathologyVol. 21(3)
University of Bari Aldo Moro (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 4%
Restraint-Related Deaths
6.76
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