This week on Profiler Africa, Paul and Gerard Labuschagne unpack one of the strangest and most misunderstood areas in forensic psychology: autoerotic fatality.

These are accidental deaths that occur during solo sexual activity when methods used to heighten arousal — like asphyxiation, electrocution, or body wrapping — end in tragedy. Misunderstood, often staged by families, and sometimes mistaken for suicide or murder, these cases present unique challenges for investigators and forensic psychologists.

Gerard takes us inside this hidden phenomenon: what it is, how it happens, why it matters legally, and what myths need debunking.

In this episode:
• Definition & Scope — what autoerotic fatality is and how it differs from suicide.
• The Psychology — the role of asphyxophilia and oxygen deprivation in arousal.
• Methods & MO — from ligatures to electrocution and immersion.
• Legal Implications — why classification matters for families, insurers, and investigators.
• Myths vs Reality — who the victims really are.
• Identification Criteria — how investigators distinguish accidents from suicides or homicides.
• Staging & Misinterpretation — when scenes are altered to hide embarrassment.
• Case Studies — real examples that illustrate how these cases unfold.

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