THE GAME IS OVER: A CASE OF DEATH BY AUTOEROTIC ASPHYXIATION

Abstract

Autoerotic asphyxia is defined as a self-induced cerebral anoxia in an autoerotic context. This practice is used to induce a state of hypoxia to elicit or enhance sexual excitement and orgasm. Autoerotic deaths are very rare events and include different mechanism such as asphyxia by hanging, ligature or electrocution, overdressing wrapping and more. According to the literature, male subjects are reported as the main victims of these events. In this paper we describe an interesting case of a 54-year-old Italian man, who accidentally deceased by placing a hemp rope around his neck during autoerotic asphyxial activities. The rope examination revealed an interesting safety mechanism: a means to adjust its diameter through a supplementary rope.

Keywords

• autoerotic death
• autoerotic asphyxia
• asphyxiophilia
• hanging
• safety mechanism
• forensic pathology