Department of Forensic Science, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Seoul, South Korea.
Department of Biomedical Science, Kyungwoon University, Gumi, South Korea.
J Forensic Sci. 2022 Nov;67(6):2487-2491. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.15109. Epub 2022 Jul 22.
Ligature strangulation is more common in homicides and is rarely seen in suicides and sexual asphyxia involving neck compression. We report a rare case of a dentist found dead of ligature strangulation next to a dental unit. The ligature was attached to the window frame, wrapped tightly around the neck once with a noose, and tied at the midpoint of the neck and at the head of the dental chair. A death scene and medicolegal investigation suggested suicidal ligature strangulation. The victim was squatting next to the dental unit with the control panel within reach. Pressing Button 1 (the recline button) would have tightened the ligature around the neck. A container containing pink nylon ribbon was found near the victim. The position of the knot at the front of the neck was consistent with suicide. Bloodstain pattern analysis confirmed the longitudinal flow pattern. No other remarkable findings were observed. Nobody had visited the clinic, autopsy found no drugs in his system, and the environment was undisturbed. Homicide was ruled out. According to witnesses, the victim had been in litigation with the owner of the building where his clinic was located. There were no reports of the victim having engaged in any unusual sexual or autoerotic activity. He had not received any death threats. Approximately 1 h before his death, he sent a suicide text message to his wife. Our case highlights the importance of distinguishing between suicide and homicide, especially in cases of ligature strangulation.
绞索勒杀更常见于凶杀案，而在自杀和涉及颈部压迫的性窒息中很少见。我们报告了一个罕见的案例，一名牙医被发现死在牙科治疗椅旁，死于绞索勒杀。绞索被系在窗框上，颈部绕了一圈形成活套，在颈部中点和牙科治疗椅头处系紧。现场和法医调查提示为自杀性绞索勒杀。受害者蹲在牙科治疗椅旁，控制板触手可及。按下按钮 1（倾斜按钮）会使颈部的绞索收紧。在受害者附近发现了一个装有粉色尼龙丝带的容器。颈部前方的结的位置符合自杀。血迹模式分析证实了纵向血流模式。未观察到其他显著发现。没有人去过诊所，尸检未在其体内发现药物，且环境未被扰乱。排除了他杀。据目击者称，受害者一直在与他所在诊所所在建筑物的所有者打官司。没有报告称受害者从事过任何异常的性行为或自淫行为。他没有收到任何死亡威胁。在他死亡前约 1 小时，他向妻子发送了自杀短信。我们的案例强调了区分自杀和他杀的重要性，尤其是在绞索勒杀的情况下。
