Suicide of a Tenor Amidst the Stage Setting of the Werther Opera's Death Scene

Background: Reporting on suicide can elicit an increase in suicides, a phenomenon termed the “Werther effect.” The name can be traced back to an alleged spike in suicides after the publication of Goethe's novel The Sorrows of Young Werther in 1774, in which the protagonist Werther dies by suicide. Aims: Acknowledging the importance and primacy of systematic ecological and individual-level studies, we provide a historical single-case report of the suicide of a “late arrival of the Werther epidemic,” as the death was headlined in a news report in 1927. Method: Archival research on tenor Paul Vidal's suicide was conducted. Results: Vidal reconstructed the scene of the final act of the opera Werther in his apartment and died by a gunshot, as did Werther. Limitations: Causal interpretations must be made with caution. Conclusion: Striking similarities between Werther's and Vidal's deaths support the idea of strong identification with the fictional narrative and suggest causal effects. Considering the repeated high level of immersiveness and the intense emotions of opera performances, it is likely that performing the role of Werther increases identification processes, contributing to detrimental effects. The lack of knowledge regarding the role of fictional suicide stories on artists' suicides is discussed.

Is There a Role for the Microbiome and Sudden Death? A Systematic Review

Background. Sudden unexpected death (SUD) is one of the most important and worthy investigation case profiles in emergency medicine and forensic pathology. Sudden unexpected deaths in adults (SUDA) are frequently caused by cardiac events, while infections usually cause those in infants younger than one year (SUDI), and to a lesser extent, in children older than one year (SUDC). However, in some instances of children under the age of one dying (SIDS), a cause is not discovered despite a thorough investigation that includes a review of clinical history, examination of the death scene, and a complete autopsy. Several studies demonstrate that the microbiome influences host immunity, alters susceptibility to viral respiratory infections, and has a vital role in various health, disease, and death outcomes. The main objective of this systematic review was to compile and offer a complete vision of the main lines of research on microbiome and sudden death that have emerged in recent years and their relationship with forensic sciences, as well as the possible contributions or limitations in the field of forensic sciences. Methods. Following PRISMA principles, a systematic evaluation of the microbiome and sudden death in forensic science was conducted. In this review, our study classified the sudden deaths as SUDA, SUDI, and SIDS. Results. The role of microbiome research in sudden death is discussed in this review. Various studies have linked the detection of different bacteria or viruses as a probable cause of sudden death. Bacteria analysed differ between studies that used autopsy specimens from deaths classified as SUDA, SUDI, and SIDS, or, except in the case of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, which have been analysed in both SUDI and SIDS autopsies. In the case of viruses, only Cytomegalovirus has been analysed in both SIDS and SUDI cases. However, all the viruses studied are respiratory viruses found in samples of nasopharyngeal or lung fluid. Conclusions. Although the application of the microbiome in sudden death and other fields of forensic science is still in its early stages, a role of the microbiome in sudden deaths cannot be ruled out, but we cannot conclude that it is a significant factor either.

Unusual cases of suicidal electrocution using a homemade device

Background The common methods of suicide are hanging and poisoning. Suicidal electrocution using a homemade device is very rare. Victims usually possess knowledge of electrical circuits. Here, we report two cases of suicide by electrocution using a homemade device. Case presentation: Case 1: A retired electrical technician was found unresponsive in his bedroom, with two bare copper wires; one encircling the index finger of the left hand, and the other placed in the mouth. The other ends of the wires were connected to a wall plug supplying 220 V current. Forensic autopsy and microscopic findings attributed death to suicidal electrocution. Case 2: A 51-year-old-man was found dead in the bathroom with bare copper wires encircling both wrists and connected to a wall plug carrying 220 V current. Death scene investigation, necropsy, histological tests and toxicological screening indicated suicide by electrocution.

A Preliminary Investigation of Insect Succession Patterns on Decomposing Carrion on Rottnest Island (WA)

Introduction: Pivotal component of medico-legal investigations is the determination of time since death, or (minimum) postmortem interval, (min) PMI. Forensic entomology can provide reliable estimates of (min) PMI using carrion insect species. Carrion insect arrival and departure occurs in predictable and sequential waves, however, successions may vary depending on geographical location and environmental conditions. Hence, it is crucial to refer to insect succession data of the same region where the death scene occurs. A current gap in forensic entomology research is on carrion-breeding species and succession on decomposition remains/carrions on small islands. Rottnest Island is located off the south-west coast of Perth. The aim of this study was to establish baseline data of carrion insect fauna present on this island, and to provide entomological evidence that may aid in any future investigations on the island. Methods: A list of the insect taxa associated with two decomposing swine hindquarters during the summer season was compiled over a 15-day study period and compared with published mainland data obtained during the same period of the year. Results: Ten insect taxa representing four families were collected and identified in association with the decomposing carrion. The first wave of colonising Diptera species included Calliphoridae species and Sarcophagidae species. The second wave of Diptera comprised Muscidae species, in addition to beetles. Furthermore, ants and spiders were noted throughout the trial. Conclusions: Comparing the results on Rottnest Island with currently available data from mainland WA, showed that the composition of insect speciesand the patterns of succession were similar.

Inconsistencies in Overdose Suicide Death Investigation Practice and Potential Remedies Using Technology: A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Consultation Meeting Summary

Introduction: It is widely accepted that suicides—which account for more than 47 500 deaths per year in the United States—are undercounted by 10% to 30%, partially due to incomplete death scene investigations (DSI) and varying burden-of-proof standards across jurisdictions. This may result in the misclassification of overdose-related suicides as accidents or undetermined intent. Methods: Virtual and in-person meetings were held with suicidologists and DSI experts from five states (Spring-Summer 2017) to explore how features of a hypothetical electronic DSI tool may help address these challenges. Results: Participants envisioned a mobile DSI application for cell phones, tablets, or laptop computers. Features for systematic information collection, scene description, and guiding key informant interviews were perceived as useful for less-experienced investigators. Discussion: Wide adoption may be challenging due to differences in DSI standards, practices, costs, data privacy and security, and system integration needs. However, technological tools that support consistent and complete DSIs could strengthen the information needed to accurately identify overdose suicides.

CADAVER EXAMINATION AT THE DEATH SCENE

The on-site investigation ensures the direct perception of the ambiance of the crime scene, even if its commission was not accompanied by material changes, or although accompanied by such transformations, they were the subject of direct findings in the early stages of the criminal process.

Importance of dashboard camera (Dash Cam) analysis in fatal vehicle–pedestrian crash reconstruction

The reconstruction of dynamic of traffic injuries remains a challenge in forensic pathology and is often based on circumstantial data. Dash Cams are digital video recorders which can be located inside a vehicle and continuously record the view through the windscreen, thus providing objective evidence. Here we present the case of a traffic crash in which a pedestrian was hit by an articulated lorry. The analysis of a video recorded from a Dash Cam retrieved inside the vehicle during the death scene investigation (DSI) was crucial in the reconstruction of the manner of death. Indeed, the death, which was initially assumed to be accidental, was finally deemed as a suicide on the basis of the video recording, which showed an intentional and sudden rush of the victim to the middle of the roadway. Advantages and disadvantages of the use of Dash Cams will be discussed, focusing on the profound differences in the related national and international regulations. Based on the present case, in traffic crashes, the search for Dash Cams during the DSI may be recommended and the video recordings should be analyzed in the setting of a multidisciplinary and multimodal evaluation of the case, for a proper reconstruction of the facts.

A Case of Fatal Electrocution in Rural Nepal

Although preventable, electrocutions have claimed many lives in Nepal. People of low socio-economic background from remote villages in Nepal who visit jungle to tend cattle, collect firewood and cattle fodder are vulnerable to electrocution when the foliage are in contact with the power lines. We present a case of a 11-year-old boy who was found suspended over three naked high-tension electric wires approximately 30 feet above the ground in rural Nepal. This article describes a case of fatal electrocution and attempts to explain a reasons for such mishaps in Nepal through consideration of topography and socioeconomic factors. This article further discusses the death scene investigation in such cases. Keywords: Death scene investigation; fatal electrocution; high-tension transmission