Suicide or homicide? Forensic investigation of death of a 19 year old female by hanging

Abstract

Suicide carries a stigma on the family name in many cultures. Objections were raised by family members, with a threat of judicial  adjudication, when suicide was documented in the death certificate. An earlier reported case of fraud involving her raised the issue of  suspicion of homicide and necessitated this investigation by security operatives. a 19 year old female ward assistant, abandoned to fend  for herself at 15 years, earlier managed for Severe Depression with Psychotic features, who was found dead. A day prior to the incidence,  23rd September, 2019, it was discovered that she had secretly generated a transfer code in a bank mobile App and had transferred  money to the tune of Eighty thousand naira only over the previous month. Further evidence showed ligature and neck marks, with similar  pattern to the ridges in the rope used, the presence of a suicide note, her medical history, a history of previous suicidal attempt, a  well documented nursing report of a previous suicidal attempt, formed the summary of the report of findings that this action was  committed by the victim and that it was not a homicidal hanging.. The steps taken by the security formed the basis of this report.