Suicide by electrocution

Common card · No. 369530

Electrocution is an uncommon suicide method. While the victim often suffers burns and internal injuries resulting from the electricity, death results from the disruption of the heart rhythm. The earliest use is recorded in 1901, possibly inspired by the use of the electric chair in executions over the previous decade. However, in the Nazi concentration camps, it became the most frequent means of suicide due to the high-voltage electric fences surrounding the camps; one camp official even openly encouraged it. Like other violent methods, electrocution is predominantly employed by men. A significant proportion who choose this method have experience working with electrical appliances or infrastructure and use that in their suicides, since it requires some preparation. Suicides by electrocution are evenly split between those who use high-voltage utility current and those that use lower-voltage household current. Among the latter group are the women who employ this method, almost all of whom...

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