<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>An increasing number of asphyxia suicides by inhalation of inert gases have been reported from different parts of the world over 
the last decade. So far this phenomenon has not been described in our country. This article presents the first two case reports from 
Norway of presumed suicide by asphyxiation due to helium inhalation from a closed plastic bag over the head. In both cases a forensic 
autopsy, which included comprehensive toxicological analysis, was requested and performed. In the two cases death was attributed to 
asphyxia due to helium inhalation, and suffocation due to a plastic bag over the head and aspiration of gastric contents, respectively. 
Toxicological analysis revealed no findings contributing to the deaths. The absence of toxicological and autopsy findings to determine 
the cause of death in such cases may represent challenges of clinical and forensic significance. In contrast to the promotion of this 
method by euthanasia interest groups for the terminally ill reported suicides by helium asphyxiation primarily involve relatively young 
individuals suffering from psychiatric and/or substance use disorders, and not from terminal illness.</p></abstract>

An increasing number of asphyxia suicides by inhalation of inert gases have been reported from different parts of the world over 
the last decade. So far this phenomenon has not been described in our country. This article presents the first two case reports from 
Norway of presumed suicide by asphyxiation due to helium inhalation from a closed plastic bag over the head. In both cases a forensic 
autopsy, which included comprehensive toxicological analysis, was requested and performed. In the two cases death was attributed to 
asphyxia due to helium inhalation, and suffocation due to a plastic bag over the head and aspiration of gastric contents, respectively. 
Toxicological analysis revealed no findings contributing to the deaths. The absence of toxicological and autopsy findings to determine 
the cause of death in such cases may represent challenges of clinical and forensic significance. In contrast to the promotion of this 
method by euthanasia interest groups for the terminally ill reported suicides by helium asphyxiation primarily involve relatively young 
individuals suffering from psychiatric and/or substance use disorders, and not from terminal illness.

Death by self-inflicted asphyxia with helium – First case
reports from Norway and review of the literature

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children’s and Womens’s Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway

Department of Clinical Pharmacology, St. Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway

Scandinavian Journal of Forensic Science

An increasing number of asphyxia suicides by inhalation of inert gases have been reported from different parts of the world over 
the last decade. So far this...

Death by self-inflicted asphyxia with helium – First case reports from Norway and review of the literature

Published Online: Dec 31, 2013

Page range: 52 - 54

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sjfs-2013-0010

Keywords
Suicide, asphyxia, helium, gas, toxicology

This content is open access.