Abstract

Methane is a suffocating gas, and "methane deaths" are largely the result of suffocation by gas-air displacement after accidental or deliberate exposure. Neither methane gas nor other suffocating gases are a common means of homicide, with the potential exception of the use of gas in chemical weapons or gas chambers. Here, we report the case of a 53-year-old woman who was killed by her husband with methane gas. The man had given his wife a dose of Lorazepam before setting up a hose that conveyed methane from the kitchen into the apartment's bedroom. The man subsequently faked his own suicide, which was later discovered.

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Publisher Full Text

Authors

De-Giorgio F, Grassi VM, Vetrugno G, Rossi R, Fucci N, d'Aloja E, Pascali VL

Institution

Institute of Legal Medicine, Catholic University, Medical School, Rome, Italy. fabio.degiorgio@rm.unicatt.it

Source

Forensic science international 221:1-3 2012 Sep 10 pg e1-3

MeSH

Female
Forensic Pathology
Gases
Homicide
Humans
Hypnotics and Sedatives
Lorazepam
Lung
Male
Methane
Middle Aged
Myocardium
Suicide, Attempted

Pub Type(s)

Case Reports
Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22721935