NCJ Number
222359
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 53 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2008 Pages: 455-459
Date Published
March 2008
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This retrospective study examined all cases of death due to suicide by electrocution in Sydney, Australia, between 1996 and 2005 (n=25).
Abstract
The study identified two distinct groups of people who committed suicide by electrocution. One group (80 percent of the 25 cases) was composed mainly of older men with electrical technical backgrounds who committed suicide through a direct connection to an electrical outlet. The other group (20 percent of the total), composed mostly of women, electrocuted themselves in a body of water with an electrical appliance. Twelve of the 25 (48 percent) of electrical suicides occurred in individuals over 60 years old. This compares with only 16 percent of all suicides in Australia between 1996 and 2004 that involved victims over the age of 60. This suggests that suicide by electrocution is a method favored by older individuals. A number of them had multiple physical and psychological comorbidities. In cases of suicide by electrocution, a high percentage of the bodies are still electrically active at discovery. Investigators and medical personnel should remain vigilant upon removal of the body, and all cases should involve an electrical professional in the investigation. 2 tables, 4 figures, and 16 references