Journal article

Publication year: 2008

Pages: E7-E10

Journal: Forensic Science International

Volume number: 176

Issue number: 2-3

ISSN: 0379-0738

eISSN: 1872-6283

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2007.06.020

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 

When two human corpses are found in temporal and locational context the assumption of a non-natural cause of death is close at hand. Suicide, extended suicide, homicide or accident (particularly with carbon monoxide) come to mind. When, however, a natural cause of death emerges for both after autopsy and further examinations, this provokes the question whether this incidence is coincidental.

In our two presented cases, a married couple each was found dead together. In both cases, the wife needed nursing and was being cared for by a husband who died of cardiac disease shortly before the wife died. In one case, the wife died of acute uncompensated chronic congestive heart failure. In the other case, the cause of death of the wife was hypovolemic shock due to acute gastrointestinal bleeding from recurrent gastric mucosal erosion. It is to be discussed for both cases whether, given the pre-existing illness, the acute stress of the situation in view to the husbands' death may at least have favored the occurrence of death and may, thus, have led to the criminologically conspicuous situation of finding. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Harvard Citation style: Ciesiolka, S., Risse, M., Busch, B. and Verhoff, M. (2008) Philemon and Baucis Death? Two cases of double deaths of married couples, Forensic Science International, 176(2-3), pp. E7-E10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2007.06.020

APA Citation style: Ciesiolka, S., Risse, M., Busch, B., & Verhoff, M. (2008). Philemon and Baucis Death? Two cases of double deaths of married couples. Forensic Science International. 176(2-3), E7-E10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2007.06.020