Abstract
Deaths in an autoerotic setting are usually due to accidental asphyxia, in which the individual accidently hangs or strangles themselves while inducing hypoxia for the purpose of heightened arousal. Death occurs when the level of hypoxia causes the individual to lose consciousness and is thus unable to prevent the neck compression from becoming lethal. In some cases there is an “escape” mechanism incorporated into the set-up which may fail. In rare cases, death is not as an immediate result of the autoerotic activity and is as a result of natural causes, which may or may not be related to the process. This case demonstrates the death of a 69 year old male which has occurred in the setting of a complex autoerotic environment, not as a result of asphyxiation, but rather as a result of natural causes which is likely to have been brought about by repeated similar activity. The autopsy revealed pulmonary emboli and lower limb deep vein thrombosis. There was no other natural disease of note and no features considered typical of asphyxiation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Byard RW, Hucker SJ, Hazelwood RR. A comparison of typical death scene features in cases of fatal male and female autoerotic asphyxia with a review of the literature. Forensic Sci Int. 1990;48(2):113–21.
Byard R. Autoerotic death—characteristic features and diagnostic difficulties. J Clin Forensic Med. 1994;1(2):71–8.
Savageau A, Racette S. Aqua-eroticum: an unusual autoerotic fatality in a lake involving a home-made diving apparatus. J Forensic Sci. 2006;51(1):137–9.
Blanchard R, Hucker SJ. Age, transvestism, bondage and concurrent paraphilic activities in 117 fatal cases of autoerotic asphyxia. Brit J Psychiatry. 1991;159:371–7.
Shields L, Hunsaker D, Hunsaker J, Wetli C, Hutchins K, Holmes R. Atypical autoerotic death part 2. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2005;26(1):53–62.
Resnick H. Eroticized repetitive hanging: a form of self-destructive behaviour. Am J Psychoter. 1972;26(1):4–21.
Stearns A. Cases of probable suicide in young persons without obvious motivation. J Maine Med Assoc. 1953;44:16.
Uva J. Review: autoerotic asphyxiation in the United States. J Forensic Sci. 1995;40(4):574–81.
Imami RH, Kemal M. Vacuum cleaner use in autoerotic death. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 1988;9:246–8.
Byard RW, Bramwell NH. Autoerotic death—a definition. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 1991;12(1):74–6.
Sivaloganathan S. Catheteroticum—fatal late complication following autoerotic practice. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 1985;6(4):340–2.
Marc B, Chadly A, Durigon M. Fatal air embolism during female autoerotic practice. Int J Legal Med. 1990;104(1):59–61.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Baber, Y., Bott, E. Natural death in the setting of autoerotic practice. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 12, 174–177 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-016-9751-7
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-016-9751-7