Unusual suicide with a chainsaw

Methodology for determining accidental versus intentional injury afflicted by a chainsaw

Forensic analysis is often required to determine whether an injury was inflicted intentionally or accidentally. We have developed a method for addressing this issue in the case of an injury to a limb inflicted by a chainsaw. We discuss the potential use of this methodology to the more general case of injuries inflicted by power tools.

Sub-decapitation in suicidal chainsaw injury: report of a rare case and operative management

Chainsaw accidents are severe injuries, mostly work-related and concerning upper or lower extremities. Few suicidal chainsaw injuries are reported, all of them fatal. We report the case of a 23-year-old man who attempted suicide by sub-decapitation with a chainsaw, its successful (peri-) operative management, and clinical course along with a discussion of the contemporary management and body of evidence of such lesions. Chainsaw injuries are severe traumas. Stepwise surgery with maximal functional reconstruction is safe and optimal clinical outcome can be achieved.

Accidental fatal craniocerebral injury caused by broken chain of sawing tool

The case of an accidental fatal penetrating craniocerebral injury to a 26-year-old man at work when cutting wood is reported. There was used an angle grinder with an accessory for cutting similar to a chainsaw. The injury was caused by a fragment of the broken chain. The chain fragment broke through the facial part of the head to the left and penetrated the brain in the region of the left parietal bone of the cranial vault. The immediate cause of death was a failure of the central nervous system (brain death). The toxicological analysis of biological materials was negative. The death occurred as a result of a triple violation of safety precautions. The presented case is extremely rare in terms of fatal injuries caused by power tools for sawing having been published in the forensic literature.