Page 103 - CFDI Guide

o Sexual auto-erotic uses a ligature, or a partner’s hands, to restrict the flow of blood for a euphoric

orgasm while masturbating (or being masturbated, or other sexual act). The ligature is usually soft
or padded to avoid leaving marks on the neck and point of attachment. There is usually a safety

mechanism for the person to release the ligature. It is the failure of this which most often leads to
unintended death – for this reason the death is ruled Accident and not Suicide. Often ‘auto-erotic’

is misused when a partner is involved – ‘auto-erotic’ is an act only of the person. The involvement
of a partner in manual or ligature strangulation is not auto-erotic and would be Homicide, and a

criminal act usually of negligent homicide. Evidence of previous auto-erotic, or mutual erotic,
events may be seen with other ligatures, pornographic materials, marks on suspension points, etc.

• Homicide Hanging is rare and requires another person(s) to control the decedent. This
includes a means of unconsciousness, including toxicology, and indications of struggle at

the scene and to the decedent. Most often, a struggle in self-defense to homicidal
strangulation / hanging is more pronounced and varied to those seen in accident and

suicide. Manual strangulation (with hands) or use of a ligature is more common to
homicide than by hanging.

• Suicide Hanging is determined by indications of intent and ability, and will have no

indications of struggle as would be seen in homicide hangings. A person may have reached
for the ligature and scratches visible; whereas in homicide there will be indications of

resistance and struggles, and other injuries not accounted for in suicides.

Case Investigation
Most common to investigating other assaults with both blunt and sharp force trauma for injuries, the case

investigation is specific to determining who had access to the scene and victim, and any instruments used.
This includes positions of involved persons, where on the body the injuries occurred, where they occurred

from, and any actions determined from the Scene Description.

Any instrument – including hands - are used lawfully in self-defense, defense of others, and even sport. In
some sports, such as MMA, choke holds are used; and in other circumstances may be a lawful restraint;

and in others may have become a means to thwart off an attacker. Within these may be affirmative and
implied defenses, or lesser charges. The location or fact a person is deceased or seriously injured does not

imply the victim is without responsibility or the defendant is categorically guilty. The means of self-defense
is not defined by person or location - it is defined by the act. The law enforcement investigation is not only

based on the identification of persons and their actions, it is also based on the chronology of events –
people did not just reach out and choke another. Anger, premeditation, self-defense may variously

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