A WRITER'S GUIDE TO MURDER
A series by Jake Zuurbier
TRIGGER-WARNING: Vivid descriptions of death and dead bodies.
Deaths. They're natural, it happens to everybody. The way it happens, however, is quite more interesting, especially when you're a writer. In writing there are so many different types of deaths that keeping track of those alone would require an encyclopedia - if not multiple. Researching them for your own story can be a pain in the ass. I would know: I did.
Being a writer, especially in genres like detective or horror, research takes up a good 30% of your process. Most of it is because the damn websites lack the information you need. They just don't scratch that itch, that peculiar typical way that you need your character to die. Or survive, maybe, if you're feeling generous and looking at ways to avoid your character from suffering an untimely demise. So I did something about it.
Whether your story needs a sudden, dramatic end or a slow, creeping demise, here are some effective and realistic ways to kill off a character. If you want more in depth detail about each method, click on the blue text. Those link to the individual articles that have way more information about each method, including things like what it does to the body and how to write it, how quickly it kills, blood splatter patterns and types, calibers, and - you get it. More. Here's a writer's guide to murder.
Click on the blue text of each method to visit its own article.
Choking
Liquid nitrogen, when introduced into a poorly ventilated space, can displace oxygen and cause asphyxiation.
Scenario: Place a container of liquid nitrogen in a sealed room. As it evaporates, nitrogen gas will fill the room, reducing the oxygen level. The victim will gradually lose consciousness and ultimately die from lack of oxygen.
Intense Burns
Liquid nitrogen can also be used for a more visually shocking death.
Scenario: Immerse the victim in a bath of liquid nitrogen. The extreme cold causes severe frostbite and burns, leading to a gruesome and immediate death.
Water and Electricity
Water is a potent conductor of electricity, making electrocution an effective method. Scenario 1: Drop an electrical device into a metal bathtub filled with water while the victim is bathing. Ensure the bathtub is made of a conductive material, or ensure the victim touches a metal faucet to complete the circuit. Scenario 2: If the bathtub is non-conductive, remove any metal drain connected to the ground to prevent the electricity from escaping.
Direct Contact
Electric shocks can be delivered through direct contact.
Scenario: Use a taser or rig a metal surface with a live electrical current that the victim will touch.
Natural Lightning
A more dramatic and less controllable method.
Scenario: Have the victim caught in a thunderstorm and struck by lightning, which can cause instantaneous death.
Nightshade
Certain parts of the nightshade plant are highly toxic. Have the victim chew the berries, releasing lethal amounts of atropine.
Aconite
Known for its immediate lethal effect and difficulty in detection post mortem. It usually doesn't show up in autopsies. Slip aconite into the victim's drink. Its sharp, burning taste can be masked by strong flavors like liquor.
Quinine
Used for home abortions in the previous century and to treart malaria - if ingested in high enough doses, death can occur. It's not as quick of a death as other poisons. Symptoms include retinal intoxication (blindness). Administer large doses over time, leading to a gradual decline in health and eventual death.
Ricin
The poison in castor seeds is called ricin (RYE-sin), which is one of the deadliest natural poisons. It is 6,000 times more poisonous than cyanide and 12,000 times more poisonous than rattlesnake venom. One millionth of an ounce (0.035 milligram, or 4 seeds) can kill an adult male. You can swallow the seeds and they won’t harm you, unless you chew them well. The outer coating on the seed is not toxic. Have the victim chew castor seeds well, releasing the ricin.
Strychnine
Used as a pesticide meant to kill small animals, Strychnine is one of the deadliest poisons on earth. Though found naturally in certain trees in Asia, Strychnine is also created synthetically in labs (ironically winning a Nobel Prize for the first successful attempt). The poison can infect a person in a myriad of ways, whether through ingestion, inhalation, or absorption. Upon entering the body, within a few minutes the muscles begin contracting, while nausea and vomiting overwhelm the victim. As more and more muscles in the body begin to convulse and spasm, they lead to asphyxiation. The entire lethal process from ingestion to death takes roughly a half an hour. Introduce strychnine through ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption for a painful, convulsive death.
A Shot to the Neck
If you hit the brainstem, they will die instantly. If you hit an artery, death can occur between 3-5 minutes. Sometimes, you can be completely fine if you hit nothing important.
The T Zone
A shot in this area (the forehead) will kill instantly.
Heart
A shot to the heart is almost always fatal. It can cause immediate death due to the cessation of blood flow. If the bullet doesn't directly destroy the heart, it will likely cause massive internal bleeding, leading to death within a few minutes.
Lungs
A shot to the lungs can be fatal, but not always instantly. It can cause the lung to collapse (pneumothorax) and lead to suffocation or severe blood loss. Death can occur within a few minutes to an hour, depending on medical intervention.
Stomach
A shot to the stomach is extremely painful and can be fatal, but it usually takes longer to kill. The victim may die from internal bleeding, infection, or organ failure over the course of several hours to days if untreated.
Limbs
Shots to the arms or legs are generally not fatal unless a major artery is hit. If an artery like the femoral or brachial artery is severed, the victim can bleed out in a few minutes. Otherwise, these wounds are typically survivable with prompt medical care.
Groin
A shot to the groin can sever major blood vessels, such as the femoral artery, leading to rapid blood loss and potential death within minutes. It is extremely painful and can cause significant damage to reproductive organs.
Mouth (for Suicide)
A shot through the mouth can result in instant death if it penetrates the brainstem or a major part of the brain. However, there is a risk of surviving with severe, disfiguring injuries if the shot does not cause immediate fatal damage.
Lethal Zones
Heart and Major Blood Vessels
Location: Center-left of the chest.
Impact: A stab to the heart or major blood vessels (such as the aorta or vena cava) is often fatal. The heart's critical function and the high pressure in major vessels cause rapid blood loss.
Time to Death: Death can occur within seconds to a few minutes, depending on the severity of the injury and the speed of blood loss.
Carotid Arteries and Jugular Veins
Location: Both sides of the neck.
Impact: These vessels carry blood to and from the brain. Severing them leads to massive blood loss and a quick drop in blood pressure.
Time to Death: Unconsciousness within seconds, death within a couple of minutes.
Liver
Location: Upper right quadrant of the abdomen.
Impact: The liver is highly vascular, meaning it has a rich blood supply. A deep stab here can cause significant internal bleeding.
Time to Death: Minutes to hours, depending on the size of the wound and the speed of medical intervention.
Kidneys
Location: Lower back, on either side of the spine.
Impact: Kidney injuries can cause significant internal bleeding and shock, though not as immediately fatal as heart or neck wounds.
Time to Death: Hours without medical treatment, but generally not immediately fatal.
Groin
Severing major blood vessels such as the femoral artery can lead to rapid blood loss and death within minutes.
Non-Lethal Zones
Extremities (Arms and Legs)
Impact: Stabs to the arms or legs can be painful and may damage muscles, tendons, or bones, but they are rarely fatal unless a major artery (like the femoral artery in the thigh) is severed.
Time to Death: Generally non-lethal, but can lead to significant blood loss if an artery is hit, causing potential death within hours without treatment.
Torso (Avoiding Major Organs)
Impact: Stabs to the torso that miss major organs and blood vessels can cause painful injuries but are often survivable.
Time to Death: Non-lethal unless complications like infection occur.
Buttocks and Thighs
Impact: These areas have large muscle masses and, while painful and potentially disabling, are not usually fatal unless a major artery is hit.
Time to Death: Generally non-lethal; significant blood loss if a major artery is severed.
The Effect of Leaving the Knife Inside the Body
Leaving the knife inside a stab wound can sometimes reduce immediate blood loss. The knife can act as a plug, limiting the bleeding from major blood vessels. However, this is a temporary measure and does not stop internal bleeding or prevent other damage caused by the knife.
Advantages: Temporarily controls external bleeding; might increase survival time until medical help arrives.
Disadvantages: Continued internal damage and potential for infection; risk of causing more damage if the knife is moved.
From how high do you have to fall to die?
Moderate Height
A fall from a 5-story building may result in a few minutes of survival, during which the victim drowns in their own blood.
High Fall
Push the victim off a 12-story building for a nearly guaranteed fatality.
For added drama, ensure the victim lands on something sharp.
Extreme Fall
Have the victim fall from an airplane for certain death.
A heart attack can render a person unconscious within 30 seconds.
Induce a heart attack through stress, drugs, or pre-existing conditions, leading to a swift death.
Drug Overdose
Overdose on stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamine. Causes intense vasoconstriction, high blood pressure, and increased heart rate, leading to myocardial infarction.
Lethality: Can cause immediate heart attack.
Ice Dart Gun
Shooting a dart made of ice containing a toxin. The ice melts with the body's heat, releasing the toxin directly into the bloodstream. The toxin causes cardiac arrest.
Lethality: Designed for immediate effect with no traceable evidence of the weapon or toxin once the ice melts.
Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP)
Portable EMP Device, Using a handheld EMP device to disrupt the electrical signals of the heart. The EMP causes arrhythmias or stops the heart entirely.
Lethality: Immediate, as it can cause sudden cardiac arrest.
Remote-Controlled Pacemaker Hack
Hacking into a victim's pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Sending malicious commands to induce arrhythmias or stop the heart.
Lethality: Immediate, if the device is manipulated correctly.
Sound Frequency Attack
Using an ultrasound device to emit frequencies that disrupt heart function. Causes severe arrhythmias or fibrillation.
Lethality: Immediate to a few minutes, depending on the intensity and duration of the exposure.
Emotional Shock or Trauma
Experiencing a sudden, severe emotional shock or trauma. Sudden emotional stress can cause a surge in adrenaline, which can lead to a heart attack, particularly in individuals with existing heart issues.
Lethality: Can be immediate or occur within hours of the shock.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Chronic high blood pressure. Over time, high blood pressure damages arteries, leading to the buildup of plaque and ultimately causing a heart attack.
Lethality: Can lead to a heart attack over time, particularly when blood pressure spikes.
Water (Fresh and Salt)
Freshwater: Drowning in freshwater can occur in places like lakes, rivers, pools, or bathtubs. When a person is submerged, their body initially reacts with laryngospasm, an involuntary contraction of the vocal cords that prevents water from entering the lungs. However, once water bypasses this reflex, it enters the lungs and disrupts the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, leading to hypoxia. Freshwater quickly enters the bloodstream through the lungs, diluting blood electrolytes, which can cause cardiac arrest.
Saltwater: Drowning in saltwater, such as in the ocean or sea, involves similar mechanisms to freshwater drowning but with added complications. Saltwater causes fluid to be drawn out of the bloodstream into the lungs due to osmosis, leading to pulmonary edema and bleeding. The salt can irritate the lung tissue, causing inflammation and bleeding, which exacerbates the drowning process. This additional lung irritation and fluid buildup can make saltwater drowning particularly lethal.
Wine
(As written in "The Detective")
Forcing a victim to ingest large quantities of wine or submerging their face in a vat of wine can lead to drowning. The alcohol in wine causes rapid intoxication, leading to loss of coordination and consciousness, making it difficult for the victim to escape.
The alcohol in the liquid can cause a burning sensation in the victim's lungs and respiratory tract, adding to their agony, and inhalation can lead to pulmonary complications similar to those seen with chemical pneumonitis. This method of drowning combines the effects of alcohol poisoning with the physical obstruction of the airway.
Quicksand
Quicksand, a mixture of sand, clay, and water, can trap and eventually drown a person. When a victim becomes trapped in quicksand, their movements cause the quicksand to behave more like a liquid, making it difficult to escape. As the victim struggles, they can sink deeper, and if they are unable to keep their head above the surface, they can be submerged and asphyxiated. Quicksand itself is not usually fatal, but the inability to escape and the eventual submersion can lead to drowning, especially if the victim is face-down or the quicksand fills their airway.
Oil
Drowning in a vat of oil, such as cooking oil or motor oil, is particularly dangerous due to the viscosity of the fluid. Oil is thicker than water, making it difficult to swim or escape once submerged. It also coats the airways, preventing oxygen exchange and leading to asphyxiation. Inhaling oil can cause severe lung damage, leading to chemical pneumonitis, which exacerbates the drowning process. The thick, sticky nature of oil makes it a particularly deadly medium for drowning.
Molasses
Drowning in a vat of molasses or a similar thick syrup involves submersion in a highly viscous fluid. The dense nature of molasses makes it almost impossible to swim or escape, and inhalation of the syrup obstructs the airway. The sticky nature of molasses can block the airway completely, leading to rapid asphyxiation and death. The density and stickiness of molasses make it a particularly effective but gruesome medium for drowning.
Sewage
Drowning in contaminated water found in sewers or septic tanks presents unique dangers. Submersion in sewage exposes the victim to toxic gases like methane and hydrogen sulfide, which can cause immediate unconsciousness. The contaminated water is filled with pathogens, which can cause severe infections if inhaled into the lungs. The combination of toxic gases and contaminated water makes drowning in sewage particularly deadly, as it accelerates the drowning process and leads to severe complications even if the victim is rescued.
Strangulation is a form of asphyxia characterized by the closure of blood vessels and air passages in the neck due to external pressure. It can be divided into two main types: manual strangulation, which involves using the hands, and ligature strangulation, which involves using a cord or similar object.
Manual Strangulation
Manual strangulation involves using the hands to compress the neck, obstructing blood flow and air passages. The assailant applies pressure to the victim's throat, typically using their thumbs to press on the larynx (voice box) while the fingers encircle the neck.
Mechanism: The pressure applied to the neck compresses the carotid arteries, jugular veins, and trachea. Compression of the carotid arteries reduces blood flow to the brain, causing unconsciousness within 10-15 seconds. Continued pressure can lead to brain hypoxia, resulting in brain damage or death within 4-6 minutes. The trachea may also be compressed, obstructing the airway and causing asphyxia.
Symptoms: The victim may exhibit bruising or redness around the neck, petechiae (small red or purple spots caused by bleeding) on the face and eyes, and hoarseness or loss of voice. In severe cases, there may be fractures of the larynx or hyoid bone.
Lethality: Manual strangulation can be fatal if pressure is maintained long enough. Even if the victim survives, they may suffer from long-term brain damage due to prolonged hypoxia.
Ligature Strangulation
Ligature strangulation involves using an object, such as a rope, cord, belt, or scarf, to constrict the neck. The ligature is tightened around the neck, either by the assailant or by the victim's own weight in the case of hanging.
Mechanism: The ligature compresses the carotid arteries and jugular veins, reducing blood flow to and from the brain, similar to manual strangulation. The trachea may also be compressed, obstructing the airway. Unlike manual strangulation, ligature strangulation can maintain constant pressure without the assailant's direct physical effort.
Symptoms: Ligature marks on the neck, often horizontal or diagonal, with abrasions or bruising around the site of compression. There may be petechiae on the face and eyes, and in severe cases, fractures of the hyoid bone or larynx. Victims may also have other signs of a struggle, such as defensive wounds on their hands and arms.
Lethality: Ligature strangulation can be more lethal than manual strangulation due to the ability to maintain continuous pressure. Death can occur within minutes if the ligature is not removed.
By understanding these methods, writers can create believable and downright scary scenes that enhance the tension and realism of their stories. Each method offers unique possibilities, allowing you to craft the perfect demise for your characters.
Jake Zuurbier, born in 2002, is a writer with a broad background. With a degree in both Business and Management, his work in writing is combined with a business in books & home decor, sports clothing & gear and multiple forms of other output like music or meditations. He has worked jobs in retail and horeca, ranging from working kitchen in a hotel-restaurant to a floor manager position in a clothing store.
In his free time, he is just as occupied. Photography, weight lifting, kickboxing, cooking and reading are amongst his hobbies.
To learn more, or get in contact, visit www.apolloimperium.com/jakezuurbier
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