NCJ Number
140661
Journal
Behavioral Sciences and the Law Volume: 10 Issue: 4 Dated: (Autumn 1992) Pages: 509-523
Date Published
1992
Length
15 pages
Annotation
A series of 118 autoerotic deaths were compared with the same number of asphyxial suicides in Ontario and Alberta (Canada) to determine the similarities and differences between the 2 groups.
Abstract
The deaths were all recorded by the coroners or medical examiners from the provinces from 1974-87. The two groups were matched by province, year of death (within 3 years), and method of asphyxiation. The comparison of the death scenes revealed major differences between the two groups, with nudity of the body, evidence of a wide range of sexual activity at the time of death, and absence of verbal or written indication of suicidal intent being characteristics of the autoerotic asphyxia group. The data indicate that autoerotic asphyxia and suicidal asphyxia can usually be readily distinguished by features of the death scene. Tables and 41 references