Lin Peter T, Dunn William A
Mayo Clinic, Hilton 11, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905.
J Forensic Sci. 2014 Jan;59(1):271-3. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.12297. Epub 2013 Dec 13.
Suicide by inhalation of carbon monoxide produced by mixing formic acid and sulfuric acid within a confined space is a rare method of suicide. This method is similar to the so-called "detergent suicide" method where an acid-based detergent is mixed with a sulfur source to produce hydrogen sulfide. Both methods produce a toxic gas that poses significant hazards for death investigators, first responders and bystanders. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas, while hydrogen sulfide has a characteristic rotten eggs odor, so the risks associated with carbon monoxide are potentially greater due to lack of an important warning signal. While detergent suicides have become increasingly common in the USA, suicide with formic acid and sulfuric acid is rare with only three prior cases being reported. Greater awareness of this method among death investigators is warranted because of the special risks of accidental intoxication by toxic gas and the possibility that this method of suicide will become more common in the future.
在密闭空间内混合甲酸和硫酸产生一氧化碳并吸入自杀是一种罕见的自杀方式。这种方法类似于所谓的“洗涤剂自杀”方法，即把一种酸性洗涤剂与硫源混合以产生硫化氢。这两种方法都会产生有毒气体，对死亡调查人员、急救人员和旁观者构成重大危害。一氧化碳是一种无味气体，而硫化氢有典型的臭鸡蛋气味，因此由于缺乏重要的警示信号，与一氧化碳相关的风险可能更大。虽然洗涤剂自杀在美国越来越普遍，但用甲酸和硫酸自杀很罕见，此前仅报告过三例。鉴于有毒气体意外中毒的特殊风险以及这种自杀方式未来可能会更普遍，死亡调查人员有必要提高对这种方法的认识。
