Suicidal cut-throat with medico-legal masquerades: case illustration and review of the literature

Abstract

Abstract Background Furnishing an opinion about the manner may be challenging for a forensic pathologist in cases of spot deaths with isolated cut-throat injury. Case presentation This fatality in a young male is elucidated for it to be found markedly deviant with reference to the factors described for suicidal cut-throat injuries, including (1) medical history; (2) death circumstances (non-home); (3) type of object that produced injury; (4) injury pattern in relation to dexterity, lack of old and fresh hesitation cuts at neck and elsewhere, predisposition (horizontal), and extent (superficiality); (5) autopsy findings (non-pale organs); (6) scene evidence/s; (7) findings at viscera examination; and (8) cause of death (choking). The deceased was a cannabis addict, practiced black magic, and lived separated from his wife. There was no lead of the event, and thus an inquest proceeding was initiated. Conclusion The possibility of suicide by cut throat by razor blade was considered in the light of the pragmatic comprehension of the post-mortem and scene findings. A case of suicide cut-throat without hesitation cuts, but with venous outpour, and not-so-deep injuries caused by a razor blade, has not been reported. This unprecedented review aims to add to the virtually non-existent literature about medico-legal masquerades rarely seen in suicide cut-throat injuries. It is an endeavor to guide the deduction of the most qualified opinion with a guide to analyzing often undermined and neglected variables in cases of isolated cut-throat injuries. The causative association of marital conflicts that put young males at an increased risk of suicide is highlighted here.

Keywords

• Choking
• Cut throat
• Suicide
• Razor blade
• Cannabis
• Black magic