Case Of Self-inflicted Injury Research Articles

First described case of self-inflicted injury in a brown bear (Ursus arctos Linnaeus, 1758) following capture with an Aldrich snare

Trapping bears (Ursidae) with Aldrich leg snares has established itself as one of the most successful methods of trapping live animals with minimal injury. Most documented injuries are related to damage caused by the trap and prolonged exposure to it. Various physiological and behavioural responses have been observed, however self-eating of the toes of the captured foot has not been described so far. In November 2017 an adult male brown bear was caught with a standard Aldrich type leg snare. When the research team arrived, the bear teared off and swallowed phalanges of the first toe of its rear left foot before it could be sedated. The bear was measured and marked with GPS-GSM collar. Following the instalment of the collar, the animal was monitored for the duration of 23 months when the drop-off mechanism of the collar was activated. This rule out the possibility that a serious life threatening complications arised from the trauma.

Medico-Legal Significance of ‘Self-Embedding of Foreign Bodies’

Self-embedding is a form of self-injury where foreign objects are inserted underneath the skin. Though it is reported in scientific literature, it is not being reported in forensic literature. In the year 2010, a housemaid returned from Saudi Arabia with 24 nails and needles in her body. After arrival, she had not informed that she had been tortured by the employer. In the year 2013, another Sri Lankan housemaid from Middle East admitted to hospital with needles in her body alleged that needles being inserted by her master. X-rays showed 4 needles in her face and limbs, placed parallel to the skin surface. She would have self-embedded these needles in a way to escape from employer. There are cases of self-inflicted injuries in people with Munchausen syndrome, where people simulate trauma or illness in order to draw attention. In conclusion, ‘the medico-legal significance of self-embedding of foreign objects’ is a new concept where the forensic physician has to exclude ‘torture’ by a third party before ascertaining the concept of self-harm. Multiple foreign objects, found parallel to body surface, at accessible sites and accessible directions to push foreign bodies between the thumb and index finger favors self-embedding.

Two cases of self-inflicted injuries in the living.

Two cases of self-inflicted injuries in the living.