Part 10

DEATH BY ASPHYXIA
 Asphyxia
• Is a condition wherein there is inference
in the process of respiration resulting to
impairment of normal exchange of
respiratory gases whereby the supply of
oxygen to the blood and tissues has been
reduced below the normal level
• Asphyxia in greek means “absence pulse”
or “heartbeat” asphyxia is also referred to
as “suffocation” and is a medical
emergency medically, it is usually the
term given to deaths due to “anoxia “ or
“hypoxia” in the absence of remedial
measures, asphyxia rapidly leads to
unconsciousness and death prolong
asphyxia can cause brain damage.
Types of Asphyxial Death
1. Anoxic Death – This is associated with
the failure of the arterial blood to become
normally saturated with oxygen.
2. Anomic Anoxic Death – this is due to the
decreased capacity of the blood to carry
oxygen this is condition is due to
 Severe hemorrhage
 Poisoning like carbon monoxide
 Low hemoglobin level in the blood
3. Stagnant anoxic Death – this is brought
about by the failure of circulation the maybe
due to
 Heart failure
 Shock

4. Histotoxic Death – this is due to cellular oxidative process and

although the oxygen is properly cyanide and alcohol are common
agents responsible for histotoxic anomic death.
Phases of Asphyxial Death
• Dyspneic Stage - due to lack of oxygen and
retention of carbon dioxide breathing becomes rapid
and deep. Blood pressure is elevated and pulse rate
increased there is cyanosis in the lips face and finger
nail beds.
• Convulsive Stage - Retention of carbon dioxide
stimulates the central nervous system cyanosis
becomes more marked eyes become staring and
pupils dilated.
• Apneic Stage – there is paralysis of the respiratory
center the breathing becomes Shallow slow and
gasping. the victim dies of heart failure.
1. Asphyxia by Hanging – is a form of violent death
brought about by the suspension of the body by a
ligature which encircles the neck and the
constructing force is the weight of the body.
Classification of Asphyxia by Hanging
A. As to the location of the Ligature or Knot
1. Typical – when the ligature runs from the midline
above the thyroid cartillage symmetrically encircling
the neck of the both sides to the occipital region
2. Atypical – When the ligature is tied or noose is
present on the side of the neck in front or behind the
ear or on the chin
B. As to the amount of constructing Force
1. Complete - when the body is completely suspended
and the constricting force is the whole point
2. Partial – when the body is partially suspended as
when the victim is kneeling, reclining prone or other
position.
C. As to Symmetry
1. Symmetrical – when the knot or noose is at the
midline of the body either at the occiput or just
below the chin.
2. Asymmetrical - when the knot or noose is not in
the midline but on the sides, with the head titled to
the side opposite the location of the noose or knot.
Evidence to Support Homicidal Hanging
1. Signs of struggle in the clothing and
surroundings.
2. Presence of bodily injuries on the victim
3. Presence of defense wounds on the body
on the victim.
Evidence to Support Suicidal Hanging
1. No signs of Struggle
2. History of previous in effective suicidal attempts
3. Presence of suicidal notes
4. History of reverses in life loss of love ones, failure
in jobs and love
Asphyxia by Strangulation
a. Asphyxia by ligature - is produced by compression
of his neck by trying ligature around the neck and the
two ends pulled in the opposite direction is such a
manner to tighten the ligature.
Causes of Death in ligature Strangulation
1. Asphyxia due to occlusion or trachea
2. Cerebral anoxia due to compression of cerebral arteries.
3. Inhibition of his respiratory center due to pressure on
vagus and sympathetic nerves.

b. Manual Strangulation or Throttling

- It is a form of strangulation whereby the
hands are used in applying pressure to the
neck and obstructing the air passages causing
asphyxial death. It is homicidal and the
assailant is either in front at the side or back
of the victim while applying pressure over
the neck one or both hands may be used.
Special Forms of Strangulation
1. Palmar Strangulation - Form of Strangulation
wherein palms of the hand are used in applying
pressure over the neck while the assailant is either in
front or at the back of the victim.
2. Garroting - form a strangulation wherein a mental
collar or bowstring is placed around the neck and
tightened at the back.
3. Mugging - form of strangulation wherein the
assailant stands at the back of the victim and forearm is
applied in front of the neck

4. Compression of the Neck with a stick,

Rod or Pipe – This is a form of
strangulation wherein a piece of pipe,
rod or stick is used in applying pressure
over the neck and the assailant is either
in front or the back of the victim
3. Asphyxia by suffocation - is the
exclusion of air from the lungs by closure
of air openings or obstruction of air
passages from the external openings.

1. Smothering - caused by closing of the

external respiratory on lice (mouth and
nostrils) either by the use of hands,
cloth, pillow or linen.
a. Over Laying - most common
accidental smothering in children
Suffocated either from beddings or
pillows.
b. Gagging - application of materials
usually handkercheif, linen other
clothing material through the mouth
and nostrils.
Over Laying
2. Choking - form of suffocation brought about by the
impaction of the foreign body, food or blood clots in the
respiratory passages.
a. Vomitus – too much alcohol intake
b. Bleeding pulmonary tuberculosis
c. Dentures
d. Bolus of food

4. Asphyxia by drowning or submersion

in water – the air passages are submerged
in water thereby preventing the force blow
of air into the lungs. It is not necessary for
the whole body to be submerged in water.
 Post Mortem Findings
External Findings
1. Clothes are wet with foreign bodies
clinging and pale face.
2. Eyes closed or may be half opened
congested conjunctive and pupils dilated.
3. Penis and scrotum may be contracted And
retracted especially when the body is
found in cold water.
4. Washer woman’s hands and feet –
bleached and corrugated.
5. The mouth may be closed or half opened
with the tongue protruding
6. Presence of clenched fists which holds
foreign materials like weeds, stones and
sand.
Internal findings
1. Emphysema Aquosum – the lungs are
distended like balloons, overlapping
the heart, with no markings on the
surface and protruded out of the chest
upon removal of the stemum.
2. Edema Aquosum – this is due to the
entrance of water into the air sacs
which makes the lung doughy, readily
pit on pressure and exudes water and
froth on section.
3. Champignon d’ ocume – this is the
whitish foam which accumulates in the
mouth and nostrils. This is due to the
abundant mucous secretion of the
respiratory passage which by
respiratory movement whips up the
substance into foam.
Conclusive Findings in Drowning
1. Clenched fists with foreign bodies in
the hands of the victims.
2. Increased lung volume and weight in
edema of the lungs.
3. Presence of water in the stomach
4. Presence of froth foam and foreign
bodies in the respiratory passages.
5. Presence of water in the middle ear.

Tete De Negri - Dark Bloated condition

of the face in drowning with bronze color
of the head and neck.
 Determination of Suicidal Drowning
 Heavy articles or weight may be found in the pocket
of clothing.
 Presence of suicidal notes.
 Determination of the strong reason for him to
commit suicide.
 Mentality of the person.
 Study of the character and manner of the person
previous to tge commission of suicide.
Determination of Homicidal Drowning
 There is evidence of struggle like physical injuries
and destruction of the clothing victims.
 Articles belonging to the assailant may be found
near the place where the deceased was recovered.
 Presence of a motive for the killing
 Presence of ligature on the hands or legs which
could not possibly be applied by the victim himself.
 Presence of physical injuries which could not have been
self – inflicted like gunshot wound at the back, severe
injuries at the head etc.
 Testimony of the witness.
Determination of Accidental Drowning
 Absence of mark of violence on the body surface.
 Condition and situation of the victim immediately before
death which may make one inclined to believe that it is
accidental
 Exclusion of suicidal or homicidal nature
of drowning.
 Testimony of witness who saw the
accident
5. Asphyxia by Compression of the chest or
traumatic Crush Asphyxia – is a form of asphyxial
death wherein the exchange of gases into the lungs is
prevented due to trauma to the chest and abdomen.

Burking – form of traumatic asphyxia invented burke.

The murder will sit or kneel on the chest of the victim
and cover the nostrils and mouth to prevent the flow of
air into the respiratory passages.
6. Asphyxia by Breathings Irrespirable
Gases – some gases when inhaled are
detrimental to life and health. The most
common gases which cause aspyxial death
are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide,
hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide.