Suizid durch allgemeine Unterkühlung mit absichtlicher Teilentkleidung

  • Katja Müller
  • Axel Gehl
  • Reinhold Ottens
  • Klaus Püschel

Related Research units

Abstract

Most cases of fatal hypothermia are accidental, often in connection with alcoholisation, homelessness, age-related confusedness and others. The phenomenon of paradoxical undressing may be observed. A paradoxical feeling of warmth in the advanced condition of hypothermia leads to the behaviour of undressing, partly or completely. Suicides with intentional hypothermia are rare. Fatal hypothermia often appears as a concomitant mechanism, e. g. in drug poisoning. The case report describes the fatality of a young woman dying from suicidal hypothermia. She was found partly undressed. This was part of her scheduled plan and not a consequence of paradoxical undressing.

Bibliographical data

Translated title of the contributionSuicide by hypothermia with intentional partial undressing
Original languageGerman
ISSN0003-9225
Publication statusPublished - 02.11.2011
PubMed 22039695