Deck 38: Autoerotic Sexual Asphyxia

Question 1

According to Turvey, autoeroticism/autoerotic fatality may be defined as

A) masturbation and other forms of self-gratification/death that results from behavior performed as form of self-gratification.
B) perversions performed on oneself, including masturbation/death that results from perverse behavior performed on oneself.
C) sexual gratification/death that results from erotic pleasure with oneself or others including drugs, alcohol, vibrators and masturbation devices.
D) sexual pleasure/death that results automatically from use of machinery or electronic device while engaged in any form of erotic activity with self/others.

Answer 1

masturbation and other forms of self-gratification/death that results from behavior performed as form of self-gratification.

Question 2

Why is engagement in dangerous behaviors such as autoerotic asphyxia pleasurable? What is source of the pleasure?

A) Autoerotic asphyxia is NOT pleasurable as it often leads to death of participant(s); properly classified as a sexual perversion or mental disorder.
B) Derives from physical (reduced oxygen to brain creating euphoric state) and psychological (very personal and rooted in masochistic fantasy).
C) Primarily physical: stems from Hypoxia, reduced oxygen supply leading to euphoric asphyxia, semi-hallucinogenic state, pleasurable enough on its own.
D) Primarily psychological: rooted in individual, intense fantasy life generally involving masochistic behaviors like bondage, self-restriction, pain/pleasure.

Answer 2

Derives from physical (reduced oxygen to brain creating euphoric state) and psychological (very personal and rooted in masochistic fantasy).

Question 3

One of several myths regarding autoerotic fatalities includes the following

A) mostly older, single unmarried women over 30.
B) mostly white older males over 40.
C) mostly young boys and teens.
D) typically involves both young boys and girls, sometimes together.

Answer 3

mostly young boys and teens.

Question 4

The best data available from large study of such deaths (n=132) establish that

A) age of persons concentrated in one age cohort: males 30-39 (n=59), followed by males 20-29 (n=33), scattered across other age groups.
B) age of persons concentrated in one age cohort: males 40-49 (n=47), white male teens (n=21), males 20-29 (n=23), males 30-39 (n=13).
C) age of persons concentrated in teen age group: while male teens largest category (n=63), followed by males 20-29 (n=31).
D) age of persons strongly represented across three age cohorts: white male teenagers (n=37), males 20-29 (n=43), males 30-39 (n=31).

Question 5

All of the following are myths about autoerotic deaths EXCEPT

A) autoerotic deaths connected with transvestitism.
B) autoerotic deaths involve full or partial nudity.
C) autoerotic deaths occur almost only to males.
D) autoerotic deaths reflect history of suicide attempts.

Question 6

Turvey believes that most autoerotic fatalities

A) are accidental, unintentional deaths and therefore suicide should be ruled out as a motive or finding.
B) are obviously a case of perverse, immoral sexual behavior.
C) are simply successful suicide attempts, intentional efforts to flirt with death, undertaken with the intent to take one's own life.
D) should be treated as any other form of suicide because like other forms of suicide they are voluntary acts.

Question 7

Discuss the motivation for autoerotic behaviors. Turvey rejects their characterization as a "perversion," and he seems to suggest that forensic pathologists who harbor such a negatives view of autoerotic behavior will be at a serious disadvantage when confronting or investigating possible autoerotic fatalities. Do you agree with his reasons?-why or why not? Explain.

Question 8

Describe four myths connected with autoerotic fatalities and explain the factual basis for rejecting them as correct.

Question 9

Explain the basis for Turvey's differentiation of auto-erotic fatalities from suicides.