Suffocation
- Created by: meganjayne15
- Created on: 30-04-14 09:21
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- Suffocation, Asphyxia and Fatal Pressure on the Neck
- Asphyxia
- pressure on the neck associated with cardiac arrest
- absence of pulsation.
- examples of asphyxia
- absence of oxygen tension - in the atmosphere such as reduced barometric pressure or replacement by carbon dioxide
- Obstruction of the external respiratory orifices (mouth and nose) as in smothering or gagging
- Blockage of internal respiratory passages
- Restriction of respiratory movements
- Disease of the lungs that reduces gas exchange
- Reduction in cardiac function
- Reduced ability of the blood to transport oxygen
- Inability of the peripheral tissue cells to utilize the oxygen being delivered to them
- terms to know!
- suffication
- general term used to indicate death from lack of oxygen
- smothering
- indicates blockage of the external air passages
- gagging
- fabric or adhesive tape occludes the external passage
- the device will admit air at first but as it gets soaked with saliva or mucus asphyxia occurs
- fabric or adhesive tape occludes the external passage
- choking
- refers to blockage of the upper air way
- between the larynx and primary bifurcation of the main bronchus
- refers to blockage of the upper air way
- throttling
- refers to strangulation usually by hand
- strangulation
- the use of either hands or ligature as a means of applying external pressure to the neck
- suffication
- signs of asphyxia
- petechial hemorrhages
- small pin point collections of blood lying in the skin
- occur from ruptured venules
- usually appear on face and eyes
- also known as Ocular Petechiae
- must be noted but not always an indicator to asphyxia
- used in conjunction with other evidence to indicated asphyxia
- congestion and edema
- result of obstructed venous return
- congestion is associated with tissue swelling and often times be associated with trauma
- pneumonia can also lead to marked pulmonary edema (fluid in the lung)
- drug overdoses are common causes of raised pulmonary edema (fluid in the lung)
- cyanosis
- constriction of the neck traps venous blood with decreased oxygenated hemoglobin - blood turns a bluish colour
- skin appears blue when the tissue close to the surface has low oxygen saturations
- the colour of blood depends on the quantity of oxyhemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin present in the red blood cells
- may be overshadowed by hypostasis
- Hypostasis: the accumulation of fluid or blood in the lower parts of the body or organs under the influence of gravity, as occurs in cases of poor circulation or after death.
- constriction of the neck traps venous blood with decreased oxygenated hemoglobin - blood turns a bluish colour
- petechial hemorrhages
- Traumatic asphyxia
- refers to mechanical fixation of the chest.
- shows evident signs of classical asphyxia
- face and neck grossly discoloured
- eyes and sclera (white part of the eye) are engorged with blood - obliterates the whites of the eys
- Manual strangulation
- common method of homicide
- commonly seen in domestic homicides or sex related homicides
- features of sexual asphyxias
- production of cerebal hypoxia - reduced supply of oxygen to the brain
- constriction of the neck by ligature which can be tightened or loosened when the individual wants too
- malfunctions in this can lead to accidental ligature deaths
- plastic bag over the head is commonly used in these situations
- production of cerebal hypoxia - reduced supply of oxygen to the brain
- features of sexual asphyxias
- commonly seen in domestic homicides or sex related homicides
- associated with power and size of assailant
- rarely committed by women unless committed on a child
- bruising may be visible internally
- common method of homicide
- Postural asphyxia
- closely tied to traumatic asphyxia
- person in a certain position long enough to stop respiration.
- i.e. being trapped, drunken or drugged state or mechanical impediment
- Mechanical asphyxia
- death is obscure
- catecholamine-induced cardiac arrhythmia
- exaggerated adrenal response
- usually occurs when a struggle has happened between a drunken or drugged offender and a sober offender
- catecholamine-induced cardiac arrhythmia
- death is obscure
- strangulation by ligature
- cords, wires, ropes and some belts are strong enough to cause death
- a u shaped ligature is often sufficient to occlude the airway
- Hanging
- Form of ligature strangulation in which the force applied to the neck is derived from the gravitational drag of the weight of the body or part of the body.
- suicidal or accidental?
- death is most often caused by relfex cardiac arrest from pressure on the carotid structures
- victims have pale faces rather than congested faces
- death is most often caused by relfex cardiac arrest from pressure on the carotid structures
- Asphyxia
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