ASPHYXIA 
:SUBMITTED BY • 
AMANPREET KAUR • 
MSC II • 
FORENSIC SCI • 
3931 • 1
CONTENTS 
DEFINITION* 
ANOXIA* 
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ASPHYXIA* 
CLASSIFICATION OF ASPHYXIA* 
SUFFOCATION* 
HANGING* 
STRANGULATION* 
DROWNING* 
REFERENCES* 
2
ASPHYXIA 
Defective aeration of blood due to any 
cause is known as ASPHYXIA. It is 
simply a condition in which body 
tissues are deprived from oxygen 
.completely or partially 
The true terms for asphyxia is ANOXIA 
.or HYPOXIA 
3
ANOXIA 
:ANOXIA is of three types 
ANOXIC ANOXIA * 
ANAEMIC ANOXIA * 
STAGNANT ANOXIA * 
4
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS 
CONGESTION. 1 
OEDEMA. 2 
CYANOSIS. 3 
PETECHIAE. 4 
5
PETHECHIAE IN EYES 
6 
CYANOSIS
CLASSIFICATION OF 
ASPHYXIA 
:MECHANICAL. 1 
Suffocation * 
Hanging * 
Strangulation * 
Drowning * 
CHEMICAL. 2 
SEXUAL. 3 
7
SUFFOCATION 
To die as a result of not being able to “ 
:breath.” It may be due to two reasons 
DUE TO LACK OF OXYGEN IN * 
ATMOSPHERE 
DUE TO OBSTRUCTION OF AIR * 
PASSAGES 
SMOTHERING. 1 
CHOKING. 2 
TRAUMATIC ASPHYXIA. 3 
GAGGING. 4 8
GAGGING SMOTHERING 
9
CHOKING 10
WHETHER IT IS HOMICIDAL, 
SUICIDAL OR ACCIDENTAL 
Suffocation may be ACCIDENTAL like in * 
case of CO poisoning and in case of 
choking of respiratory tract internally by 
.food bolus 
HOMICIDAL cases are common like * 
GAGGING is used by the thieves to 
.prevent the victim from shouting 
SUICIDAL cases are less frequent . But in * 
some western countries people use coal 
. gas for committing suicide 11
HANGING 
Form of death produced by 
suspending the body 
with a ligature round the 
neck and here, the 
constricting force is 
weight of the body. 
Commonly used 
ligatures are rope, 
turban, dhoti, saree , 
belt, or that is available 
. at the scene 
12
TYPES OF HANGING 
On the basis of KNOT * 
TYPICAL. 1 
ATYPICAL. 2 
On the basis of SUSPENSION * 
COMPLETE. 1 
PARTIAL OR INCOMPLETE. 2 
13
COMPLETE HANGING 
14
PARTIAL HANGING 
15
CAUSE OF DEATH IN HANGING 
Injury to spinal cord. 1 
Sudden stoppage of heartbeat due to . 2 
. vaso vagal inhibition 
.Occlusion of the airways. 3 
.Occlusion of jugular system. 4 
.Occlusion of carotid arteries. 5 
Fracture or dislocation of cervical . 6 
. vertebrae 
16
Postmortem features in cases of death 
due to HANGING 
LIGATURE MARKS ON THE NECK* 
DRIED DRIBBLES OF SALIAVA AT* 
ANGLE OF MOUTH 
HYOID BONE FRACTURE* 
SWOLLEN FACE WITH PROTRUDED * 
EYES AND TOUNGE 
PASSAGE OF URINE, FAECES OR * 
SEMINAL STAINS 
17
HANGING 
WITH LIGATURE. 1 AFTER . 2 
REMOVAL OF 
LIGATURE 18
Others forms of HANGING 
JUDICIAL HANGING * 
LYNCHING * 
ACCIDENTAL HANGING * 
SEXUAL ASPHYXIA (AUTOEROTIC * 
(HANGING 
19
WHETHER IT IS HOMICIDAL, 
SUICIDAL OR ACCIDENTAL 
. Hanging is mostly of suicidal in nature* 
Cases of homicidal hanging are less * 
frequently found. Because it is impossible 
to control a person while he is alive. In 
case of homicidal hanging we find traces 
of drugs, injury on the body which is firstly 
.used to incapacitate the person 
Accidental hanging cases are also * 
frequent 
20
STRANGULATION 
STRANGULATION is a 
violent form of death, 
which results from 
constricting the neck 
by means of a ligature 
or any other means 
without suspending 
.the body 
21
TYPES OF STRANGULATION 
THROTTLING: when constriction is produced by . 1 
.the pressure of the fingers and the palms 
GARROTING: loop of thin string thrown from . 2 
.back and tightened 
BANSDOLA: neck compressed between two . 3 
.bamboo sticks 
MUGGING: pressure upon neck by arm around. 4 
.the throat 
22
LIGATURE STRANGULATION 
The pressure upon the neck may be * 
effected by compressing whole or a part of 
.the circumference of neck by a ligature 
CAUSE OF DEATH 
VAGAL INHIBITION* 
VENOUS CONSTRICTION* 
RESPIRATORY OBSTRUCTION* 
23
24 
GAROTTING THROTTLING
GENERAL FINDINGS 
.Face is swollen and blotchy* 
.Eyes usually suffused and bulging* 
Tongue is swollen, protruding and caught * 
.between teeth 
Ligature mark which commonly depends upon * 
the size, type, form, etc. of the ligature. The 
. thinner the ligature more deep will be the mark 
25
INTERNAL FINDINGS 
Bruising of the soft tissue of neck and * 
muscles specially underneath the ligature 
.mark 
.Injuries to blood vessels are rare in this* 
Injuries to hyoid bone are not commonly * 
.seen 
.Thyroid cartilages are found fractured* 
26
MANUAL STRANGUALTION 
((THROTTLING 
Catching or grasping of neck at the * 
.location of carotid sinus, by the hand 
This cause sudden CARDIAC ARESST * 
.due to vaso vagal inhibition 
. THE DEATH IS SUDDEN IN THIS CASE** 
27
GENERAL FINDINGS 
CUTANEOUS ABRASIONS* 
CUTANEOUS BRUISING* 
BRUISING INTO LARGE STRUCTURES * 
OF NECK 
INJURIES TO HYOID BONE AND * 
LARYNX 
28
WHETHER IT IS HOMICIDAL, 
SUICIDAL OR ACCIDENTAL 
SUICIDAL: It is possible to strangle * 
oneself 
.by ligature 
ACCIDENTAL: In case of infants at time of * 
birth. Children may strangled while 
playing. While working near a machine 
.one can strangled 
HOMICIDAL: Quite common form of * 
.murder 
29
DROWNING 
It is a form of death in which the * 
atmospheric air is prevented from entering 
the lung by submersion of body in water or 
.any other liquid completely or partially 
The main cause of death is VASO VAGAL * 
INHIBITION resulting in sudden cardiac 
. arrest and ASPHYXIA 
30
TYPES OF DROWNING 
WET DROWNING. 1 
In salt water * 
In fresh water * 
DRY DROWNING. 2 
SECONDARY . 3 
DROWNING 
COLD WATER . 4 
DROWNING 
31
WHETHER IT IS HOMICIDAL, 
SUICIDAL OR ACCIDENTAL 
SUICIDAL : Most commonly used by * 
Indian females. Sometimes the person 
committing suicide tie his/her hand before 
jumping. In these types of cases position 
.of knot plays an important role 
HOMICIDAL : It is rare except in cases of * 
children, infants and person under the 
.effect of any drug 
.ACCIDENTAL : very common* 
32
REFERENCES 
Modi, J.K. (1993) : Medical jurisprudence and toxicology, * 
. N.M. Tripathi Pvt. Ltd 
Krishan Vij (2001) : Textbook of Forensic Medicine, B.I. * 
.Churchill Livingstone Pvt. Ltd 
H.W.V Cox (1998) : Medical Jurisprudence and * 
.Toxicology, L.R. Bagga Pvt. Ltd 
C.K. Parikh (1990) : Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, * 
Forensic Medicine and 
.Toxicology, CBS Publishers 
www.en.wikepedia.org/wiki/drowning* 
www.sonictr.deviant art.com/art/solid-snake-smothering* 
33
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asphyxia

  • 1.
    ASPHYXIA :SUBMITTED BY• AMANPREET KAUR • MSC II • FORENSIC SCI • 3931 • 1
  • 2.
    CONTENTS DEFINITION* ANOXIA* SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ASPHYXIA* CLASSIFICATION OF ASPHYXIA* SUFFOCATION* HANGING* STRANGULATION* DROWNING* REFERENCES* 2
  • 3.
    ASPHYXIA Defective aerationof blood due to any cause is known as ASPHYXIA. It is simply a condition in which body tissues are deprived from oxygen .completely or partially The true terms for asphyxia is ANOXIA .or HYPOXIA 3
  • 4.
    ANOXIA :ANOXIA isof three types ANOXIC ANOXIA * ANAEMIC ANOXIA * STAGNANT ANOXIA * 4
  • 5.
    SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS CONGESTION. 1 OEDEMA. 2 CYANOSIS. 3 PETECHIAE. 4 5
  • 6.
    PETHECHIAE IN EYES 6 CYANOSIS
  • 7.
    CLASSIFICATION OF ASPHYXIA :MECHANICAL. 1 Suffocation * Hanging * Strangulation * Drowning * CHEMICAL. 2 SEXUAL. 3 7
  • 8.
    SUFFOCATION To dieas a result of not being able to “ :breath.” It may be due to two reasons DUE TO LACK OF OXYGEN IN * ATMOSPHERE DUE TO OBSTRUCTION OF AIR * PASSAGES SMOTHERING. 1 CHOKING. 2 TRAUMATIC ASPHYXIA. 3 GAGGING. 4 8
  • 9.
  • 10.
  • 11.
    WHETHER IT ISHOMICIDAL, SUICIDAL OR ACCIDENTAL Suffocation may be ACCIDENTAL like in * case of CO poisoning and in case of choking of respiratory tract internally by .food bolus HOMICIDAL cases are common like * GAGGING is used by the thieves to .prevent the victim from shouting SUICIDAL cases are less frequent . But in * some western countries people use coal . gas for committing suicide 11
  • 12.
    HANGING Form ofdeath produced by suspending the body with a ligature round the neck and here, the constricting force is weight of the body. Commonly used ligatures are rope, turban, dhoti, saree , belt, or that is available . at the scene 12
  • 13.
    TYPES OF HANGING On the basis of KNOT * TYPICAL. 1 ATYPICAL. 2 On the basis of SUSPENSION * COMPLETE. 1 PARTIAL OR INCOMPLETE. 2 13
  • 14.
  • 15.
  • 16.
    CAUSE OF DEATHIN HANGING Injury to spinal cord. 1 Sudden stoppage of heartbeat due to . 2 . vaso vagal inhibition .Occlusion of the airways. 3 .Occlusion of jugular system. 4 .Occlusion of carotid arteries. 5 Fracture or dislocation of cervical . 6 . vertebrae 16
  • 17.
    Postmortem features incases of death due to HANGING LIGATURE MARKS ON THE NECK* DRIED DRIBBLES OF SALIAVA AT* ANGLE OF MOUTH HYOID BONE FRACTURE* SWOLLEN FACE WITH PROTRUDED * EYES AND TOUNGE PASSAGE OF URINE, FAECES OR * SEMINAL STAINS 17
  • 18.
    HANGING WITH LIGATURE.1 AFTER . 2 REMOVAL OF LIGATURE 18
  • 19.
    Others forms ofHANGING JUDICIAL HANGING * LYNCHING * ACCIDENTAL HANGING * SEXUAL ASPHYXIA (AUTOEROTIC * (HANGING 19
  • 20.
    WHETHER IT ISHOMICIDAL, SUICIDAL OR ACCIDENTAL . Hanging is mostly of suicidal in nature* Cases of homicidal hanging are less * frequently found. Because it is impossible to control a person while he is alive. In case of homicidal hanging we find traces of drugs, injury on the body which is firstly .used to incapacitate the person Accidental hanging cases are also * frequent 20
  • 21.
    STRANGULATION STRANGULATION isa violent form of death, which results from constricting the neck by means of a ligature or any other means without suspending .the body 21
  • 22.
    TYPES OF STRANGULATION THROTTLING: when constriction is produced by . 1 .the pressure of the fingers and the palms GARROTING: loop of thin string thrown from . 2 .back and tightened BANSDOLA: neck compressed between two . 3 .bamboo sticks MUGGING: pressure upon neck by arm around. 4 .the throat 22
  • 23.
    LIGATURE STRANGULATION Thepressure upon the neck may be * effected by compressing whole or a part of .the circumference of neck by a ligature CAUSE OF DEATH VAGAL INHIBITION* VENOUS CONSTRICTION* RESPIRATORY OBSTRUCTION* 23
  • 24.
  • 25.
    GENERAL FINDINGS .Faceis swollen and blotchy* .Eyes usually suffused and bulging* Tongue is swollen, protruding and caught * .between teeth Ligature mark which commonly depends upon * the size, type, form, etc. of the ligature. The . thinner the ligature more deep will be the mark 25
  • 26.
    INTERNAL FINDINGS Bruisingof the soft tissue of neck and * muscles specially underneath the ligature .mark .Injuries to blood vessels are rare in this* Injuries to hyoid bone are not commonly * .seen .Thyroid cartilages are found fractured* 26
  • 27.
    MANUAL STRANGUALTION ((THROTTLING Catching or grasping of neck at the * .location of carotid sinus, by the hand This cause sudden CARDIAC ARESST * .due to vaso vagal inhibition . THE DEATH IS SUDDEN IN THIS CASE** 27
  • 28.
    GENERAL FINDINGS CUTANEOUSABRASIONS* CUTANEOUS BRUISING* BRUISING INTO LARGE STRUCTURES * OF NECK INJURIES TO HYOID BONE AND * LARYNX 28
  • 29.
    WHETHER IT ISHOMICIDAL, SUICIDAL OR ACCIDENTAL SUICIDAL: It is possible to strangle * oneself .by ligature ACCIDENTAL: In case of infants at time of * birth. Children may strangled while playing. While working near a machine .one can strangled HOMICIDAL: Quite common form of * .murder 29
  • 30.
    DROWNING It isa form of death in which the * atmospheric air is prevented from entering the lung by submersion of body in water or .any other liquid completely or partially The main cause of death is VASO VAGAL * INHIBITION resulting in sudden cardiac . arrest and ASPHYXIA 30
  • 31.
    TYPES OF DROWNING WET DROWNING. 1 In salt water * In fresh water * DRY DROWNING. 2 SECONDARY . 3 DROWNING COLD WATER . 4 DROWNING 31
  • 32.
    WHETHER IT ISHOMICIDAL, SUICIDAL OR ACCIDENTAL SUICIDAL : Most commonly used by * Indian females. Sometimes the person committing suicide tie his/her hand before jumping. In these types of cases position .of knot plays an important role HOMICIDAL : It is rare except in cases of * children, infants and person under the .effect of any drug .ACCIDENTAL : very common* 32
  • 33.
    REFERENCES Modi, J.K.(1993) : Medical jurisprudence and toxicology, * . N.M. Tripathi Pvt. Ltd Krishan Vij (2001) : Textbook of Forensic Medicine, B.I. * .Churchill Livingstone Pvt. Ltd H.W.V Cox (1998) : Medical Jurisprudence and * .Toxicology, L.R. Bagga Pvt. Ltd C.K. Parikh (1990) : Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, * Forensic Medicine and .Toxicology, CBS Publishers www.en.wikepedia.org/wiki/drowning* www.sonictr.deviant art.com/art/solid-snake-smothering* 33
  • 34.
  • 35.