Journal of Forensic Research

Use of Occupational Knowledge to Commit Suicide

Abstract

Marzena Labecka, Lorkiewicz-Muszynska D, Julia Sobol and Agnieszka Przystanska

Objectives: According to WHO, suicide is the act of deliberately killing oneself. The number of suicide autopsies is comparable year by year; there are differences however in the sex and age, and the method chosen. The aim of the study was to analyze the cases of people who used their occupation-related knowledge to commit suicide. Material and Methods: A retrospective study of the Department of Forensic Medicine autopsy protocols from 2010 to 2014 was carried out. Of the 1,908 protocols searched, 292 suicide cases were selected and the reason and circumstances of death were studied.
Results: The number of suicides increased from 49 cases in 2010 to 65 cases in the years 2013 and 2014. The most common ways were by hanging and intoxication. In 7 (2.8%) of the cases, professional knowledge was used. Amongst them were three cases where death was the result of having knowledge of and access to firearms. Three other suicides were committed by physicians with use of pharmaceuticals. The case of a taxi driver who gassed himself with exhaust fumes causing death by carbon monoxide intoxication was found and the case of an electrical engineer who connected himself to a power source using a timer was also recorded.
Conclusions: Although suicides planned and committed with use of professional knowledge are rare, they always succeed. The need for restricting access to means to prevent suicides is underlined.