Medico-legal evaluation of deaths due to decapitation

Rom J Leg Med [20] 251-254 [2012]
DOI: 10.4323/rjlm.2012.251
© 2012 Romanian Society of Legal Medicine Medico-legal evaluation of deaths due to decapitation
Bahadır Kumral, Yalçın Büyük*, Ümit N.Gündoğmuş, Esat Şahi̇ n, M.Feyzi Şahi̇ n
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Abstract: Decapitation of bodies is a rare event in the civilian setting and is reported to account for approximately 0.1
% of medico-legal autopsies. Suicidal decapitation is a very rare method of self-destruction. In suicidal decapitation, the favored
method is the one involving trains. Other encountered methods are decapitation in suicidal hanging, vehicle-assisted ligature
suicide. Though being encountered rarely decapitation by guillotine was also reported. In this retrospective study, in order to
depict characteristic features of deaths with decapitation, we presented the findings of fatalities with decapitation over a 10-year
period in a medico-legal autopsy series in Istanbul, Turkey. A total of 36270 forensic autopsies were performed over the period
of the study and in 19 cases, the bodies were found to be decapitated (0.05 %). The age range of decapitated bodies was 18 to 71
years (average 39,1 years), with a male to female ratio of 13/6. There was only one case of suicide and the way used for suicide
was a mechanism like guillotine. In this case, a guillotine-like device designed by male victim had been used for deliberately
decapitating the body. The age of the suicide case was 41 years. There was no female suicide case. There were 13 deaths of
accidental origin. 6 vehicle crashes and 7 train-pedestrian accidents. The age range of individuals died in accidents was 26 to 68
years (average 36.8 years) with a male to female ratio of 11/2. During the study period the number of the homicide cases with
decapitation was 5. The age range of homicide cases was 18 to 71 years (average, 45.2 years), with a male to female ratio of
¼. There were multiple traumas in other body parts of the bodies of homicide cases together with decapitation. In majority of
homicide cases, multiple stab wounds were detected. Decapitation level of vertebrae was at the level of 3-4 cervical vertebrae in
9 cases and different levels at cervical region in other cases.
Key Words: decapitation, train-pedestrian accident, suicide, homicide, guillotine, forensic autopsy.
T
hroughout history, decapitation has been
used for execution for the most diverse
motives all over the world. Complete decapitation
without any further mutilation of the victim in homicides
is relatively rare [1].
Decapitated bodies are predominantly associated
with decapitation by wheels of trains or with postmortem
dismemberment following homicide [2]. Some methods
of suicide may also result in decapitation, either as an
intended outcome or as a result of some unforeseen
complication of the method used [3].
Decapitation of bodies is a rare event in the civilian
setting and is reported to account for approximately 0, 1
% of medico-legal autopsies [4]. Suicidal decapitation is
a very rare method of self-destruction. Byard and Gilberd
[4] reported only 13 cases of suicide involving death by
decapitation in an autopsy series of 16,589 in 17 years
period.
Tsokos et.al [5] reviewed 7681 autopsies in 7
years period and reported that only 10 cases of suicidal
complete decapitation. In suicidal decapitation, the
most favored method is the one involving trains. Other
encountered methods are decapitation in suicidal
hanging, and vehicle-assisted ligature suicide. Though
being encountered rarely, decapitation by guillotine was
also reported [3-6].
In this retrospective study, in order to depict
characteristic features of deaths with decapitation, we
present the findings of fatalities with decapitation over
a 10-years period in a medico-legal autopsy series in
Istanbul, Turkey.
Council of Forensic Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
*Corresponding author: Assoc.Prof.Dr.Yalçın BÜYÜK, Council of Forensic Medicine, Ministry of Justice,
Bahçelievler/Istanbul, Turkey, E-mail: [email protected]
251
Büyük Y. et al. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Among the files of the Mortuary Department of
Council of Forensic Medicine in Istanbul, Turkey, the
cases of decapitation were selected and examined over
a 10-years period from January 2000 to December 2009.
The autopsy reports and files of death scene investigation
were reviewed for the parameters such as, circumstances
of death, socio-demographic features of the victims,
cause and manner of death, traumatic features other than
decapitation, and the nature of decapitating wound (ante,
peri- or postmortem).
Council of Forensic Medicine (ATK) provides
autopsy services to all medico-legal deaths in Istanbul
and its neighborhoods.
RESULTS
A total of 36270 forensic autopsies were
performed over the period of the study and in 19 cases,
the bodies were found to be decapitated (0.05 %). The
age range of the decapitated bodies was 18 to 71 years
(average, 39,1 years), with a male to female ratio of 13:6.
There was only one case of suicide and the way
used for suicide was a mechanism like guillotine. In this
case, a guillotine-like device designed by male victim
which had been used for deliberately decapitating the
body. The age of the suicide case was 41 years. There
was no female suicide cases.
Medico-legal
evaluation
of
deaths
due
to
decapitation
The only reported suicide case was a 41-years-old
male. He was found dead at his workplace as decapitated
by a guillotine-like device. Technical examination of the
device showed the handmade nature of the guillotine-like
device. It was composed of two parallel structural steel
bars and there was a sliding plaster block. The plaster
block weighed about 15-20 kilograms, and at the end it
had a blade (Figure 1). The blade was a sheet of steel
plate that was sharpened on one edge. The heavy block of
plaster was prepared to serve as the needed weight mass.
The blade was allowed to fall under gravity when the
rope was cut.
The deceased body laid face up to device, with
his anterior neck in the line of descent of the blade (Figure
2). When the deceased was found by another worker, he
was almost completely decapitated. Only a piece of scalp
was left which joining the head to the trunk (Figure 3).
There were 13 deaths of accidental origin, 6
vehicle crashes and 7 train-pedestrian accidents. The age
range of individuals died in accidents was 26 to 68 years
(average, 36.8 years), with a male to female ratio of 11:2
(Table 1).
During the study period, the number of the
homicide cases with decapitation was only 5. The age
range of homicide cases was 18 to 71 years (average,
45.2 years), with a male to female ratio of 1:4. There
were multiple traumas in other parts of the bodies of
homicide cases together with decapitation. Multiple stab
wounds were detected in majority of homicide cases.
Figure 2. Position of decedent at death scene
Figure 1. Handmade guillotine-like device
252
Figure 3. Decapitating wound at the level of cervical 3-4 vertebrae
Romanian Journal of Legal Medicine Vol. XX, No 4(2012)
Table 1. Distribution of cases according to the mode of death
finding of postmortem activity, vital signs may
be present in different degrees in decapitations
Suicide
Homicide
Accident
N
% N
% N
%
done after a short time following death [11,
12]. So, as shown in our 5 cases, the role of
Male
1
5.26 1
5.26 11
57.90
decapitation in death process together with
Female 0
0
4
21.06 2
10.52
other traumatic findings (mostly the multiple
stab wounds) can not be ruled out. It is easier
TOTAL 1
5.26 5
26.32 13
68.42
to make this distinction in mutilated bodies
in which the mutilating activity is usually
There was no presence of findings of a sexual
inflicted
after
a certain period of time in order to make
crime in homicide cases.
the
body
ready
for disposal. In most of the homicidal
Toxicological analysis of samples of the cases
revealed presence of ethanol in blood ranging from 120- activities with multiple stab wounds, decapitation takes
375 mg/dl in 4 accident cases. In two of the cases of road place as the final attack to the body even at the time of
traffic accidents, the blood ethanol levels were 211 and agonal period or shortly after death [1].
In train-pedestrian fatalities, decapitation has
228 mg/dl respectively; in two of the train pedestrian accident cases, the levels of ethanol were measured as 120 been reported to be highly suggestive of suicide. But,
and 375 mg/dl, respectively. No other toxic substances accidental deaths are also possible, particularly for the
persons who are under the influence of alcohol or other
were detected.
Decapitation level of vertebrae was at the level drugs. In suicidal hanging deaths, blood aspiration as
of 3-4 cervical vertebrae in 9 cases and in different levels a vital sign has been suggested to be used in order to
rule out the postmortem mutilation. But, in some cases
at cervical region in other cases.
Decapitation is a rare event in civilian populations. of decapitation, the differentiation between the modes of
In forensic practice, decapitated bodies are usually death may not be so easy.
In differentiation of homicide cases, some
associated with accidental explosions or vehicle crashes features
were offered as classic of homicide: postmortem
[7-9]. Decapitation has been reported to occur also in
suicidal and homicidal deaths. In suicides, decapitation decapitation must be considered highly suggestive of a
can be found occasionally in hanging deaths and train- homicidal mode of death [1]. In one of our cases, the head
pedestrian fatalities. However, suicidal deaths by a had been cut off after death, characterized by absence
guillotine like mechanism and vehicle-assisted suicide of vital signs around the wounds of decapitation. In all
cases have also been reported [3, 10]. As an accidental these cases, a sharp tool had been used, as indicated by
origin, train-pedestrian fatalities or car crashes might the clear-cut wound margins, the vertebral column being
be responsible for decapitation. In some rare instances, disconnected either between 2nd or at the level of 1st
it might be difficult to distinguish between the different cervical vertebrae.
Postmortem mutilation has been reported to be
modes of death in cases of decapitation. In the suicidal inflicted
with different kinds of motives. In defensive
mode of death, decapitation resulting from violent
methods is almost always a potential for confusion with mutilation, the reasons/casues is to get rid of the
body and/or make its identification more difficult. In
homicide.
In the present study, the majority of the deaths aggressive mutilation, postmortem mutilation follows
were associated with accidents and homicides. In the an act of outrageous killing of the victim. Offensive
homicide cases, decapitation was almost always together mutilation can result either from a necrophilic urge to kill
with other lethal wounds such as multiple stab wounds. and carry out sexual activities with the dead body or an
In these cases, timing of the decapitating wound (ante- urge to carry out sexual activities while inflicting pain, in
, peri-or post-mortem) gains legal importance. During both constellations associated with possible postmortem
the study period, the number of the homicide cases with mutilation. The fourth motive for postmortem mutilation
decapitation was 5. In all of these cases, a sharp tool had would be necromaniac mutilation, carried out on a
been used, as indicated by the clear-cut wound margins dead body, where the mode of death is not necessarily
and there were vital signs in different degrees around homicide [13, 14].
Deaths with decapitation lead to a complex
the margins of decapitating wound in all cases. The final autopsy diagnosis for the timing of the decapitating forensic investigation in which the forensic pathologist
wounds in 5 cases was reported as peri- or ante-mortem, plays a major role as a point of reference in the execution
of a full and correct inquest. The main, specific question
excluding the post-mortem.
The vital findings around the margins of posed in these deaths relates to the differential diagnosis
decapitating wound must be evaluated for the timing of of death by decapitation due to suicide, accident, homicide
decapitation. Although the absence of vital signs around or mutilation of a body after death by another cause. In
any case, there is a common consensus in the literature
the margins will almost definitely be regarded as the
253
Büyük Y. et al. that complete decapitation as the only fatal injury in
an otherwise unharmed body is strongly indicative
of suicide, as it is not only unusual in, accidents and
homicides, but in such cases is always associated with
injuries to other body areas. The body’s position on the
rails can also be important in reconstructing the event: a
prone or supine position with the neck resting on one of
the rails is strongly indicative of suicide [15,1].
Medico-legal
evaluation
of
deaths
due
to
decapitation
The suspicion of homicide is strongly confirmed
if autopsy reveals vital decapitation as the cause of death.
Accompanying injuries inflicted before or after death are
other classic features of a homicidal mode of death.
In conclusion, the combination of death scene
findings and autopsy results will in most decapitation
cases provide valuable evidence in distinguishing
between homicidal and other modes of death.
References
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
254
Türk EE, Püschel K, Tsokos M. Features characteristic of homicide in cases of complete decapitation. The Am J For Med Pathol. 2004;
25(1):83-86.
Rothschild M, Schneider V. Decapitation as a result of suicidal hanging. Forensic Sci Int. 1999; 106(1):55-62.
Shorrock K. Suicidal decapitation by guillotine. The Am J Forensic Med and Pathol. 2002; 23(1):54-56.
Byard RW, Gilbert JD. Characteristic features of deaths due to decapitation. Am J Forensic Med Pathol.2004; 25(2):129-130.
Tsokos M, Türk EE, Uchigasaki S, et al. Pathologic features of suicidal complete decapitations. Forensic Sci Int. 2004;139:95-102.
Nowak R, Seidl S. Suicide by guillotine. Arch Kriminol.1994; 193:147-152.
Hitosugi M, Fukui K, Takatsu A. Incomplete decapitation of a motorcyclist from hyperextension by inertia: a case report. Med Sci
Law.2001; 41: 174-177.
Kibayashi K, Yonemitsu K, Honjyo K, Tsunenari S. Accidental decapitation: an unusual injury to a passenger in a vehicle. Med Sci
Law.1999; 39: 82-84.
Rautji R, Rudra A, Dixit V, Bhardwaj DN, Dogra TD. Decapitation in road traffic accident-a case report. Forensic Sci İnt.2003; 135:237238.
Zhao D, Ishikawa T, Quan L, L. DR, Michiue T, Maeda H. Suicidal vehicle-assisted ligature strangulation resulting in complete
decapitation: An autopsy report and review of the literature. Legal Med 2008, 10: 310-315.
Brunel C, Fermanian C, Durigon M, Grandmaison GL. Homicidal and suicidal sharp force fatalities: Autopsy parameters in relation to the
manner of death. Forensic Sci Int 2010, 198:150-154.
Mazzolo GM, Desinan L. Sharp force fatalities: suicide, homicide or accident? A series of 21 cases. Forensic Sci Int 2005, 147S: S33-S35.
Püschel K, Koops E. Dismemberment and mutilation. Arch Kriminol 1987, 180:28-40, 88-100.
Rajs J, Lundström M, Broberg M, et al. Criminal mutilation of the human body in Sweden: a thirty-year medico-legal and forensic
psychiatric study. J Forensic Sci 1998, 43:563-580.
Zoja R, Battistini A, Gentile G. Death with complete decapitation: Report of four suicides by train. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2009, 30(3):
303-306.