Suffocation caused by plastic wrap covering the face combined with nitrous oxide inhalation. 2017

Peter Mygind Leth, and Birgitte Schmidt Astrup
Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J.B.Winsløws Vej 17B, 5000, Odense C, Denmark. pleth@health.sdu.dk.

Suicide using a combination of a plastic bag over the head and inhalation of a non-irritating gas, such as helium, argon or nitrogen, has been reported in the literature. Here an unusual suicide method in a 17-year old man by suffocation from covering the face with household plastic wrap, combined with nitrous oxide inhalation, is presented. The case was reviewed based on police, autopsy and hospital reports. A PubMed search for scientific literature related to nitrous oxide abuse and suicide by suffocation was performed and our findings discussed in relation to the scientific literature found. The deceased was a 17-year old man who was found with the nose and mouth closed with a piece of kitchen plastic wrap. The plastic wrap had been removed prior to autopsy. Autopsy findings were suggestive of asphyxia, but were otherwise negative. Nitrous oxide was detected in the brain and lung tissue with headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (headspace-GCMS). The cause of death was assumed to be suffocation caused by plastic wrap covering the face, combined with nitrous oxide inhalation. Suicide was suspected because of a history of depression for several months. Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, has a euphoric effect and is used as a recreational inhalant drug that can be purchased legally. Deaths caused by recreational nitrous oxide abuse are rare but may occur if used in combination with a plastic bag over the head. This is the first report of suicide by suffocation by external obstruction combined with nitrous oxide inhalation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008168 Lung Either of the pair of organs occupying the cavity of the thorax that effect the aeration of the blood. Lungs
D008297 Male Males
D009609 Nitrous Oxide Nitrogen oxide (N2O). A colorless, odorless gas that is used as an anesthetic and analgesic. High concentrations cause a narcotic effect and may replace oxygen, causing death by asphyxia. It is also used as a food aerosol in the preparation of whipping cream. Laughing Gas,Nitrogen Protoxide,Gas, Laughing,Oxide, Nitrous
D010969 Plastics Polymeric materials (usually organic) of large molecular weight which can be shaped by flow. Plastic usually refers to the final product with fillers, plasticizers, pigments, and stabilizers included (versus the resin, the homogeneous polymeric starting material). (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed) Plastic
D001923 Brain Chemistry Changes in the amounts of various chemicals (neurotransmitters, receptors, enzymes, and other metabolites) specific to the area of the central nervous system contained within the head. These are monitored over time, during sensory stimulation, or under different disease states. Chemistry, Brain,Brain Chemistries,Chemistries, Brain
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D001237 Asphyxia A pathological condition caused by lack of oxygen, manifested in impending or actual cessation of life. Suffocation,Asphyxias,Suffocations
D013405 Suicide The act of killing oneself. Suicides

Related Publications

Peter Mygind Leth, and Birgitte Schmidt Astrup
November 2011, Human & experimental toxicology,
Peter Mygind Leth, and Birgitte Schmidt Astrup
January 1994, Journal of forensic sciences,
Peter Mygind Leth, and Birgitte Schmidt Astrup
May 2018, The Journal of emergency medicine,
Peter Mygind Leth, and Birgitte Schmidt Astrup
May 2020, Medicine,
Peter Mygind Leth, and Birgitte Schmidt Astrup
January 1977, Nihon Shika Ishikai zasshi,
Peter Mygind Leth, and Birgitte Schmidt Astrup
May 1995, Forensic science international,
Peter Mygind Leth, and Birgitte Schmidt Astrup
June 2011, Acta neurologica Taiwanica,
Peter Mygind Leth, and Birgitte Schmidt Astrup
May 1952, Khirurgiia,
Peter Mygind Leth, and Birgitte Schmidt Astrup
October 1984, Annals of emergency medicine,
Peter Mygind Leth, and Birgitte Schmidt Astrup
August 1847, Illinois and Indiana medical and surgical journal,
Copied contents to your clipboard!