Abstract
For many years an interpretation of the strange group of fatalities due to sexual asphyxia has been the cause of investigative difficulty for the police investigator, as well as for the forensic pathologist. We are aware that from a medical standpoint this phenomenon is termed “sexual asphyxia.” The police community has long referred to these situations, particularly when the deceased is suspended by the neck, as “masochistic hangings.” It should be understood, however, that asphyxia may also be a mode of death in other sexual cases, such as with the use of ropes, belts, plastic bags, and other varied accouterments.
Issue Section:
Research Papers
References
1.
Litman
, R. E.
and Swearingen
, Charles
, “Bondage and Suicide
,” Archives of General Psychiatry
, Vol. 27
, 07
1972
, pp. 80
–85
.2.
Camps
, F. E.
in Gradwohl's Legal Medicine
, R.
Brittain
, Ed., John Wright & Sons, Ltd.
, Bristol
, 1968
, Chapter 25, p. 550.3.
Resnick
, H. L. P.
, “Erotized Repetitive Hangings: A Form of Self-Destructive Behavior
,” American Journal of Psychotherapy
, Vol. 26
, No. 1
, 01
1972
, pp. 4
–21
.4.
Henry
, R. D.
, Medico-Legal Bulletin
, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Department of Health
, State of Virginia
, Vol. 20
, No. 2, Bulletin 214, 02
1971
.
This content is only available via PDF.
All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or copied, in whole or in part, in any printed, mechanical, electronic, film, or other distribution and storage media, without the written consent of ASTM International.
You do not currently have access to this content.