Autoerotic Deaths: Practical Forensic and Investigative Perspectives
Purchasing Options
Features
- Presents details of actual case studies of autoerotic deaths
- Explores typical and atypical methods and victims
- Contains more than 100 full-color photographs
- Includes checklists for quick reference on the scene
Summary
Autoerotic Deaths: Practical Forensic and Investigative Perspectives is a collaboration between two internationally known experts who combine their extensive experience to present a scientific, modern view of autoerotic death—complete with a wide variety of exquisite case histories, photographs, and investigator tips.
Chief Medical Examiner Anny Sauvageau of Alberta, Canada and retired NYPD Lieutenant Commander Vernon J. Geberth bring considerable insight to this volume, providing practical and conventional information based on scientific research and case experience from the field. Enhanced with more than 100 color photos, the book explores:
- The evolution of the concept of sexual asphyxia and autoerotic death
- The definition and epidemiology of autoerotic death, pitfalls involved in the application of the term autoerotic, and best practices for approaching these death scenes
- Death scene characteristics and the importance of recognizing clues to the autoerotic nature of a death
- Methods of autoerotic death, including hanging, plastic bags, chemical substances, and other less-common scenarios
- Atypical victims of autoerotic deaths
Using a case history format, the book presents a complete analysis of all aspects of this unusual and unfortunate type of death. The combination of theory and practice, along with up-to-date science, makes this book an unparalleled resource for all those involved in the investigation of these peculiar incidents.
Table of Contents
Autoerotic death: Historical context
Sexual asphyxia in fiction
Anthropologists’ accounts of autoerotic asphyxia
Sexual asphyxia: Early nonscientific reports in London
Historical context of autoerotic death in forensic literature
The early period (1947 to 1980)
The golden age (1981 to 1990)
The turning point (1991)
The modern era
The need for a modern book covering the advances on autoerotic death
Definition, incidence, and best practices in approaching these deaths
Definition
Pitfalls in the application of the term autoerotic death
Pitfall 1: To label a death autoerotic even though the manner of death was not accidental
Pitfall 2: To label a death autoerotic even though the sexual activity was not solitary
Pitfall 3: To become confused concerning the concept of an escape mechanism
Terminology and death certification
Incidence of autoerotic deaths
Incidence in Canada
Incidence in Europe
Incidence of autoerotic deaths in Western Countries
Variables influencing the incidence of autoerotic deaths
Best practices in approaching these deaths
Investigation of the scene
Examination of the body
History
Understanding these deaths: There are different types of sexuality
Definition of autoerotic deaths: Checklist for the forensic expert
Incidence of autoerotic deaths: Checklist for the forensic expert
Best approaches of autoerotic deaths: Checklist for the forensic expert
Understanding these deaths: There are different types of sexuality
Death scene characteristics
Death scene characteristics as main clues to the sexual autoerotic nature
Common scene features
Nudity and exposure of the genitals
Cross-dressing
Evidence of masturbatory activity
Foreign body insertion in the anus
Lubricants
Pornography
Mirror and video recording
Covering of the face, bondage of the genitals, other bondage, and other masochistic behavior
Protective padding in hanging
Evidence of repetitive behavior
Scene element forbidding ruling a death as autoerotic
A modern study of crime scene features in autoerotic death
Incidence of individual scene features
Number of scene features per case
Comparison of scene features in relation to the autoerotic methods
Comparison of scene features in relation to age group
Summary
Scene characteristics: Checklist for the forensic expert
Typical methods of autoerotic deaths: Hanging
Definitions of terms
Basic pathophysiology of hanging
Complete suspension versus incomplete suspension
Variation of positions in autoerotic hangings
Scene investigation
Body examination
Neck furrow
Petechiae
Cyanosis, congestion, protrusion of the tongue
Fractures of the neck structures
New data on the pathophysiology of hanging: The Working Group on Human Asphyxia
The agonic sequence in hanging
Respiratory responses to hanging
Study of filmed hangings casts doubt on the traditional conception of the pathophysiology of hanging
Agonal responses to hanging in complete versus incomplete suspension
Role of ischemic habituation on the agonal responses to hanging in autoerotic practitioners
Role of ethanol in the agonal responses to hanging
Interpretation of bruises in hanging
Estimation of the time to die by hanging
Estimation of the time to irreversibility
Typical methods of autoerotic deaths: Checklist for the forensic expert
Basic knowledge in autoerotic hanging: Checklist for the forensic expert
Advanced knowledge in autoerotic hanging: Checklist for the forensic expert
Typical methods of autoerotic deaths: Asphyxia by plastic bags and chemical substances
Definitions of terms
Autoerotic deaths by smothering by plastic bags over the head
Scene investigation
Autopsy findings
Pathophysiology of smothering
Pathophysiology of smothering: New data from the Working Group on Human Asphyxia
Autoerotic deaths by suffocation on chemical substances
Gaseous hydrocarbons
Anesthetic compounds
Inhalants: Glue, solvents, aerosols
Other chemicals
Scene investigation
Pathophysiology of propane-related deaths: New data from the Working Group on Human Asphyxia
Implications for toxicology and pathology
Implications for crime scene interpretation
Typical methods of autoerotic deaths: Checklist for the forensic expert
Definitions of terms: Checklist for the forensic expert
Autoerotic deaths by smothering by plastic bags over the head: Checklist for the forensic expert
Autoerotic deaths by suffocation on chemical substances: Checklist for the forensic expert
References
Atypical methods of autoerotic deaths
Electrocution
Examples from the literature
Overdressing/body wrapping
Examples from the literature
Foreign body insertion
Examples from the literature
Atypical asphyxia methods
Definition of terms: The classification of asphyxia
Ligature strangulation
Chest compression
Inverted or abdominal suspension
Immersion and drowning
Smothering
Other atypical methods
Atypical methods of autoerotic deaths: Checklist for the forensic expert
Atypical victims
Introduction
Female victims
Female victims in the early period of forensic literature on autoerotic deaths (1947 to 1980)
Female victims in the golden age of forensic literature on autoerotic deaths (1981 to 1990)
Female victims in the modern era of forensic literature on autoerotic deaths (1991 to present)
Non-white victims
Teenager and elderly victims
Atypical victims: Checklist for the forensic expert
Index
Author Bio(s)
Dr. Anny Sauvageau is an associate clinical professor at the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary anda well-known world expert on asphyxia. She has a founder designation in forensic pathology from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in recognition of her significant contribution to the development of this new specialty in Canada. From 2007 to 2012, she was vice president of the Forensic Pathology Examination Board of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. She is also one of the founders and the program director of the residency program in forensic pathology at the University of Alberta. She is the author of more than 75 papers in peer-reviewed forensic journals and a much sought-after international speaker. She is the founder of the Working Group on Human Asphyxia and the cofounder of the International Network for Forensic Research. Her innovative approach toward forensic research has significantly improved the understanding of the pathophysiology of hanging and other types of strangulation.
Commander Vernon Geberth is a retired lieutenant commander of the New York City Police Department with over 40 years of law enforcement experience. He is a nationally renowned lecturer, author, educator, consultant, and expert witness on the subject of death investigation. He has appeared on numerous local, national, and international television programs to answer questions on the subject of murder and provide insight, analysis, and commentary with respect to all aspects of homicide and death investigations. Geberth has been referenced as a media consultant on myriad national major cases across the United States and Canada. Over 66,500 members from over 8,000 law enforcement agencies have attended Geberth’s Practical Homicide Investigation seminars. In his seminars, Geberth focuses on his textbooks stressing advanced tactics, procedures, and forensic techniques and presents equivocal death, suicide, and missed investigations as well as serial murder investigation and the application of abnormal psychology to the investigative process.
