Hara-kiri is a form of suicide originated in the Japanese medieveal culture. It is rather unusual in the current Japan and exceptional in the western civilization, and is typically associated to schizophrenia. The study presents a suicide case by hara-kiri that took place in Uruguay, as well as update on this issue. The case consists of male adult with no particular connection with the Japanese culture, who had a history of a previous suicide attempt with the same method. Analysis of the findings in the death scene, the judicial and psychological autopsies enabled experts to determine the medical-legal etiology and to learn about the mental condition of the victim upon the consummation of the suicidal act. In spite of this method grounded on a Samurai Japanese ritual being rather unusual, it still puzzles forensics in the western world.... [Leer más...]