Year: 1983 Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences, v.28, no.1, (January 1983), p.268-272 SIEC No: 19860280

This case reports describes an accidental stabbing that occurred on Halloween. The unwitting victim, while preparing for a holiday charade, stabbed himself with an ornamental dagger. By placing himself in a potentially hazardous situation, the victim’s behavior entailed risk taking. The psychological implications of such risk taking are complex, and may be compared to such behaviors as russian roulette, gambling, and parasuicide.