Journal de médecine légale

Fatal fall from Height Cases in Shanghai, China, 2002-2011

Abstract

Ai-Min Xue

Death due to fall from height is a complex forensic issue. It could occur in suicide, accident or even homicide. Study of fall from height in China seems to be rare. In this study, 250 individuals died in fall from height cases in Shanghai were collected retrospectively from the files of SPSB from 2002 to 2011. We evaluated the demographic data, the manner of death, forensic examination findings, and toxicological test results. Overall 250 individuals, 176 were male and 74 were female. 223 individuals were identified. Ages ranged from 1 year old to 86 year old. The average age was about 33.4 ± 15.3 years. The proportion of age from 18 to 29 was the highest. Among 223 identified individuals, 170 were Chinese and 53 were foreigners from 17 countries. Manner of death was mainly suicide (46%, 115/250) and accident (18%, 45/250), while the proportion of homicide was low (3.6%, 9/250). The proportion of undetermined was high (32.4%, 81/250). Forensic full autopsies were done in 87 cases. Ethanol and drugs detection were done in 118 individuals. Individuals’ psychiatric history was not collected in the files. In conclusion, the characteristics of fall from height cases in Shanghai, China, are summarized to these: manner of death was mainly suicide and accident, low proportion of homicide, and high proportion of undetermined cases. Males were more than females. Individuals were mainly young adults. The injuries recorded in forensic examination files were common to occur in the exposing areas of body.