Accidental Decapitation; a Case Report

Background: Decapitation of bodies is a rare event in industrial accidents and accounts for about 0.1% of forensic autopsies. Decapitation has been reported in cases of suicidal, homicidal, and accidental deaths, and there are several examples of autopsy findings that are indicative of each mode of death. Case Report: We report a case of an accidental decapitation of a worker in an automated wood laminating industry. Based on the circumstances at the site, the police presupposed foul play. The scene investigation revealed that the worker had attempted to adjust the alignment of hot pressed wood manually which suddenly started to move and the worker was struck between the laminating machine and the moving board at the level of his neck which caused decapitation of his neck. Conclusion: Examination revealed that the neck was severed at the level of the second and third cervical vertebrae. This case was unusual as the mechanism for the decapitation was a blunt force.