Review of Suicidal Electrocution in South Korea from 2008 Year to 2018 Year

Korean J Leg Med 2019;43:138-143

Scientific Investigation Department, Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency, Andong, Korea

Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea

E-mail: dongja222@knu.ac.kr

The authors investigated the cases of electrocution suicides in South Korea from 2008 to 2018. Out of 151,419 suicides during this 11-year period, suicide by electrocution was extremely rare. Only nine victims were recorded in eight cases, with one case involving a married couple. The majority of the victims were men (89%), and only one case involved a woman (11%). The mean age of the victims was 55 years, and ranged from 38 to 74 years. In all cases, the suicides occurred in the home, and low-voltage electricity was used. Two of the nine victims (22%) had an occupation related with electrical knowledge. Mental illness, such as depression and schizophrenia, was found in two cases (22%). An autopsy was not performed in all cases.

Key Words: Electrocution; Suicide; Electricity