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Spain. A 59-year-old man was discovered dead in his home, he was suspended by a harness and a metal chain around his neck in what seemed like an autoerotic asphyxiation death. There was evidence that the man had ejaculated. In front of the man was a TV showing adult movies. On the table were photographs of naked women and addresses to nearby strip clubs. An autopsy confirmed death by mechanical asphyxiation by hanging.

Fig.1 A 59-year-old man was discovered dead in his home.

Fig.2 The man was suspended by a harness.

Autoerotic death refers to the accidental death of individuals of either sex due to failure of devices, or unexpected effect of materials, that were being used to enhance the sexual experience. Although asphyxia from hanging has been described most frequently, a wide variety of other lethal situations have been reported. As there is great variability in the number and types of sexual aids that may be used by individuals, careful death scene examination is essential in helping to exclude suicide and more rarely homicide. The clandestine nature of this paraphilia may, however, make subsequent identification and diagnosis difficult unless the death scene features are typical. This is particularly so in the rare cases involving women.

Fig.3 On the table were photographs of naked women and addresses to nearby strip clubs.

Fig.4 A metal chain around his neck in what seemed like an autoerotic asphyxiation death.

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