Citation

Davis LE, Tripathi S. J. Forensic Sci. 2018; 63(6): 1908-1910.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham Street, #554, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, American Society for Testing and Materials, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/1556-4029.13764

PMID

29464687

Abstract

Self-enucleation is a severe form of self-injurious behavior which presents as an ophthalmologic and psychiatric emergency. It is usually known to occur with untreated psychosis, however, there have been reports of self-enucleation across various psychopathologies. We review a case documenting self-enucleation in the forensic setting in a patient with an unusual presentation and cluster of psychotic symptoms. Literature was reviewed using PubMed/Medline databases with key terms: "forensic science," "forensic psychiatry," "auto-enucleation," "self-enucleation," "Oedipism," "self-harm." This case is unique as it offers an alternative presentation to those most commonly depicted in current literature, helps highlight the sparsity of literature depicting self-enucleation in the forensic setting, and stimulates discussion around various potential differential diagnoses, management strategies and complications of self-enucleation within the forensic setting. It is prudent to emphasize need for aggressive and collaborative treatment for the forensic population regardless of psychopathology, presentation, or propensity for secondary gain.

© 2018 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Language: en

Keywords

auto-enucleation; forensic psychiatry; forensic science; oedipism; self-enucleation; self-harm