Maya Ellison
Plastic bags are not toys and should not be placed over the head, as they can cause accidental death, especially in children. Plastic bag suffocation is also a method of suicide, often combined with drug overdose. It is a form of smothering, where the bag is placed over the head, blocking the nose and mouth and restricting airflow. This can lead to death by asphyxiation, with the risk increasing if the individual starts to panic and gasp for air, pulling the plastic into their mouth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fatality | Death can occur due to suffocation with a plastic bag |
| Suicide | Suicide by plastic bag suffocation is increasingly common |
| Homicide | Plastic bag suffocation can be used in homicide |
| Accident | Plastic bag suffocation accidents are common among children and adults practicing autoerotic activities |
| Combination with drugs | Plastic bag suffocation is often combined with drug overdose |
| Inconclusive autopsy | Plastic bag suffocation may leave poor or no signs of asphyxia at autopsy |
| Elderly | Elderly people, especially women, are more prone to plastic bag suffocation |
| Illness | 40% of people who died due to plastic bag suffocation were suffering from a serious illness |
| Drugs in blood | Drugs were detected in the blood in 92.6% of cases where toxicological testing was performed |
| Internet influence | Some victims of plastic bag suffocation searched the internet for suicide instructions |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bag suffocation is a common method of suicide
Plastic bag suffocation is a method of suicide that has been increasingly reported in the last thirty years. It is a form of smothering that involves placing a plastic bag over one's head, sometimes with a ligature around the neck to secure it. While it is not a common method of suicide, it has been known to be combined with other methods such as self-poisoning or drug intake to increase the likelihood of death.
The combination of plastic bag suffocation with the inhalation of volatile compounds or pharmacological substances at poisoning dosage is often referred to as a "planned complex suicide." This is because the use of multiple methods guarantees death even if one method fails. In a study of 110 cases of suicidal asphyxiation using a plastic bag in Ontario, Canada, between 1993 and 1997, it was found that 92.6% of cases had one or more drugs present in the blood. Benzodiazepines, diphenhydramine, and antidepressants were the most common drugs found, with diphenhydramine being the most prevalent at elevated concentrations.
Plastic bag suffocation can be challenging to diagnose during a postmortem examination, as there may be poor or no signs of asphyxia present at autopsy. This is because death occurs rapidly due to a cardio-inhibitory mechanism rather than strict hypoxia. When a plastic bag is found at the scene, further indicators of suicide must be sought to exclude other manners of death. Comprehensive toxicological analyses, careful scene examination, and histological studies are crucial to accurately determining the cause of death in these cases.
The misuse of the internet and media in providing information on suicide methods, particularly those involving plastic bag suffocation, has been noted in several cases. In some instances, individuals have been found to search the web for instructions on suicide methods or save websites providing thorough advice on committing suicide to their "favorites" list. This highlights the importance of preventive measures to limit the spread of such information worldwide.
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It is often combined with drug overdose
Plastic bag suffocation is a rare method of suicide that is sometimes combined with drug overdose. This combination presents a challenge for forensic pathologists, as it involves multiple methods of suicide, making it a "planned complex suicide".
In one case, a 67-year-old woman was found dead with her head wrapped in a plastic bag knotted at the front of her neck. There were no signs of struggle at the scene. An examination revealed congestion of the face and neck, pulmonary edema, and patchy emphysema. Toxic levels of codeine were detected in the blood, indicating a complex suicide involving codeine overdose and asphyxiation by plastic bag suffocation.
Another case involved a person who inhaled chloroform inside a plastic bag, leading to death by asphyxiation. Additionally, there have been instances of ether inhalation combined with plastic bag suffocation, with instructions for this method found on the internet.
The combination of drug overdose and plastic bag suffocation can be challenging to diagnose for pathologists, especially when the plastic bag is still in place at the scene. Comprehensive toxicological analyses, careful scene examination, and histological studies are crucial for determining the cause and manner of death in such cases.
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Plastic bag suffocation can be accidental, especially in children
Plastic bags are dangerous items that can accidentally cause suffocation, especially in children. Children may accidentally suffocate themselves by putting plastic bags over their heads for fun, not understanding the risks involved. This is because plastic bags do not have holes, so when placed over the mouth and nose, they restrict airflow and prevent breathing. Even if the bag is not tied around the neck, the act of breathing can pull the plastic into the mouth and block the airways.
The risk of accidental suffocation is also present for adults, who may practice autoerotic activities involving plastic bags without realising the danger. Additionally, those with mental health issues or suicidal intentions may intentionally use plastic bags to suffocate themselves, sometimes in combination with drug use. This is a concerning trend that has been observed in multiple studies.
It is important to keep plastic bags out of the reach of children and to educate them about the dangers of suffocation. Parents and caregivers should also be vigilant in supervising young children to prevent accidental suffocation. For those struggling with mental health issues or suicidal thoughts, seeking professional help and support is crucial.
While plastic bag suffocation can be accidental, it is important to recognise the intentional use of plastic bags as a method of suicide. This highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues and promoting suicide prevention resources. By increasing awareness, we can help prevent accidental and intentional suffocation and save lives.
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It can be challenging to diagnose during autopsy
It is challenging to diagnose death by plastic bag suffocation during an autopsy. This is because the typical signs of asphyxia—petechial haemorrhages, facial congestion, oedema, and cyanosis—are not always present. Even when the body is found with a plastic bag in situ, pathologists may struggle to determine the cause of death. For instance, in three cases reported in a paper, the local pathologist could not give a cause of death when the initial autopsy was performed.
In cases of death by plastic bag suffocation, the body is often found with a plastic bag over the head. This can occur accidentally, especially with children, or in cases of homicide, suicide, or auto-erotic situations. The presence of a plastic bag over the head during autopsy is diagnostically valuable to the pathologist. However, it can be challenging to determine whether the plastic bag caused suffocation or was placed over the head to enhance the inhalation of volatile substances.
In some cases, toxicological analysis of the blood may be necessary to detect the presence of substances such as diethyl ether, chloroform, or propane, which can cause asphyxiation when inhaled in a plastic bag. The concentration of these substances in the blood can help determine whether death was due to asphyxiation or another cause, such as an anesthetic-type death.
Additionally, a multi-disciplinary approach involving epidemiological characterization, pathological and forensic evidence, and literature review may be necessary to diagnose plastic bag suffocation accurately during autopsy. This approach considers the frequency of suicides, homicides, and accidental deaths associated with plastic suffocation and helps to understand the dynamics leading to death, especially in suspected suicide cases.
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The internet plays a role in influencing suicide methods
The internet has transformed how information is shared and consumed, and this includes details on suicide methods. Suicide is a leading cause of death worldwide, and the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10-24. The internet's role in influencing suicide methods is a growing concern, and its impact can be both detrimental and supportive.
Firstly, the internet provides easy access to pro-suicide information. A web search for suicide methods yields numerous pro-suicide sites and chat rooms in the first few results. In a study, 373 suicide-related websites were found, of which 11% were pro-suicide and provided detailed information on suicide methods. This easy availability of potentially harmful content can influence vulnerable individuals. For example, a suicide case involving plastic bag suffocation was linked to the victim's extensive internet search history on suicide methods.
Secondly, social media platforms enable instantaneous sharing of personal experiences and opinions on suicide. The social cognitive theory suggests that individuals may be influenced by what they see on social media, leading to modelled behaviours. This can be observed when people post their suicide attempts or promote suicidal behaviour online. Heavy social media use has been associated with increased suicide attempts in several studies.
However, the internet and social media can also have a positive impact. Online forums and support groups can provide social support and reduce feelings of loneliness for those with suicidal thoughts. Some individuals find comfort and solace through these platforms, connecting with others in similar situations. Additionally, the internet can be a valuable tool for suicide prevention and detection. Search trend data can be analysed to identify at-risk individuals and develop preventive strategies.
While the internet can provide support and resources for those struggling with suicidal thoughts, it is crucial to address the potential risks. The spread of pro-suicide content and the influence of social media on vulnerable individuals are serious concerns. Preventive measures and responsible handling of such information are necessary to mitigate these risks.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, people can suffocate themselves with a plastic bag. Plastic bag suffocation is a form of smothering based on putting a plastic bag over an individual’s head.
If the bag is big enough to fit over your head, the opening of the bag around your neck will not be big enough to let oxygen in. The gasping attempts at breathing may pull the bag material into the victim's mouth, which restricts airflow.
Plastic bag suffocation is not common. However, in the last thirty years, it has been increasingly reported as a suicide method. Between 1993 and 1997, 110 cases of suicidal suffocation using a plastic bag were identified in Ontario, Canada.
