Elements of Auto-erotic Asphyxiation Death Scenes

Auto-erotic deaths don’t happen often but they can be confusing when they do. For those unfamiliar, auto-erotic asphyxiation involves the practice of (usually) masturbation while intentionally restricting oxygen to the brain. Restricting oxygen eventually causes a semi-hallucinogenic state called hypoxia and is obviously very dangerous if not reversed. The ritual is practiced by both men (mostly) and women who can use a variety of methods to restrict airflow. Practitioners believe that the euphoric state coupled with sexual climax is extremely fulfilling and addictive. Call me old fashioned but I don’t get it.  Anyway, I’ve investigated a few of these over the years and here are some things I look for.

First off, this is a repeated activity. Typically the manner of death is classified as “accidental” by the medical examiner. That means that the practitioner plans to survive. That being the case they will take steps to protect themselves. One of the most common devices used to restrict air flow is the ligature. Other mechanisms like plastic bags can be used but ligatures are the most common. A ligature is any cord/rope that can be fastened around the neck. Obviously, using a device like this can cause an injury so some practitioners wrap the ligature with a towel, clothing, even foam so it doesn’t “mark” their neck. When designing a ligature “apparatus” there is always an “escape” mechanism. Sometimes they don’t function properly (hence the death) but the mechanism is always there. The other component of the repeated activity is that the activity itself may leave evidence. For example, if a practitioner suspends his rope over the top of a closet door and fastens one end to the door knob there should be evidence of numerous “rubs” (grooves caused by the force against the rope or whatever is used as a ligature) across the top of the door. The door handle may also be bent upwards or have a loose housing.

Typically there is also some kind of stimulant present. The most common sexual stimulant is pornography but such is not always the case. The practitioner may have some kind of fetish. I once saw a case presentation wherein a practitioner had a shoe fetish and suspended himself in front of his wife’s shoes in the closet. Obviously, victimology becomes very important in such cases to understand what behaviors, disorders, or fetishes a practitioner may exhibit. The practitioner may also have exposed genitalia but, again, this is not always the case. Investigators should also check electronic equipment in the immediate area for videos or audio that may simply have stopped running after death. It may be a computer screen that has gone into sleep mode or a CD that is no longer playing and the tuner shifted to radio.

Another factor to consider is whether the victim lives alone and who reported the death initially. This behavior is often hidden from spouses, friends, and family. As such, it can be quite a shock to those people should they stumble upon an already emotional loss. CSIs must always be on the lookout for crime scene clean-up or staging. Family may wish to avoid any embarrassment or ridicule based on cultural and social pressures in their community or circle of friends. Staging is a complicated effort and most criminals leave “red flags” for investigators to find. Family members may call police before they consider clean-up which doesn’t give them much time to alter the scene before the cops get there.

This type of death lends itself well to a psychological thriller. There are a number of tangents you can exploit as an author when developing your characters. Some characters may have very strong emotions regarding this behavior.  Others may be forced to face their own sexual practices or social paradigms. This is especially true if the victim is a prominent or respected member of the community. Additionally, it is common for people (not necessarily the police) to wonder about other “hidden behaviors” the victim may practice. Also, if there is staging the death may be wrongly classified as a suicide or homicide which carries it’s own potential for collateral damage. If you choose to use this behavior in a novel I suggest you try to do some further reading on the topic to better understand the range of behaviors that may be encountered.