A medico-legal report

On Wednesday the 5th of May 2021, at 6 O’clock P.M, I, Saffaa Ahmed Hersi, a fourth year
medical student was contacted by the Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology,
Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University and was asked to examine Nancy Hany, a 49 year
old woman who was found dead by her eldest daughter upstairs in the attic of their home after
coming back home from work at 5 O’clock P.M.
Two police officers, officers Ahmed Khalid and Mustafa Hassan, were present at the scene.
A large, slightly blood-smeared and gaping cut at the forefront of the neck ranging from the
larynx to the lower jaw angle was found. The clothes were soaked in blood but did not show any
damage.
A blood-smeared one-edged kitchen knife (blade length 17 cm, blade width 4 - 4.5 cm) was
found next to the body.
Toxicological analysis played an important role in discriminating suicide from homicide.
The deceased woman stabbed herself fatally after drinking an alkaline detergent solution.
On examination, I noted after cleaning the wound area that she had a transverse, 13 cm long
throat cut and several, typical hesitation marks in the sharp pointed wound angles.
The platysma muscle was cut as well as the right jugular external vein.
The arterial and venous neck vessels did not show further injuries.
Her daughter had revealed that her mother was affected by major depression after her recent
divorce. Her diary was later found underneath her pillow with the last entry: “I am going to put
myself to sleep now for a bit longer than usual. Call it Eternity.”
Written informed consent was obtained
from the deceased patient’s daughter for
the publication of this medico-legal report
and accompanying images.

Round 4 - Group A7
Name: Saffaa Ahmed Hersi
ID no.: 160779
Signature:
Supervisor: Dr. Asmaa Abd-AlRahman