Suffocation
DR DEEPAK THORAT
PROFESSOR
AGADTANTRA DEPARTMENT
BHIMASHANKAR AYURVED COLLEGE PUNE
Suffocation
Definition-Suffocationis defined as mode of violent
asphyxial death in which entry of air into lungs is
prevented by means other than compression of neck &
drowning.
Types
1. Smothering
2. Gagging.
3. Choking.
4. Crush asphyxia (traumatic asphyxia).
5. Bansdola.
6. Burking.
7. Irrespirable gases (is strictly not violent asphyxial death).
8. Burying alive.
Smothering
It is the type of suffocation in which entry of air to lungs is
prevented by closure of nose & mouth.
Gagging
It is suffocation by blocking of the oropharyngeal area may be by piece of cloth or
even by thumb, the item blocking is referred to as gag.
Sometimes initially the passage may be patent through the nose, but later due to
oedema, saliva & mucus -obstruction results.
I Gagging is usually homicidal, e.g. gagged & raped; person may be gagged by
burglars (to avoid shouting).
II Gagging is common method of infanticide.
III Accidental gagging may result during buccal coitus
IV Accidental gagging may result in epileptic due to tongue falling back
Choking
It is suffocation by obstruction of respiratory passages (glottis,
larynx, trachea, bronchi etc) & may be caused by -
I Inhaled foreign body e.g. fish thorn, piece of meat, seed, coin,
marble, button, mud, leaves,cotton, rubber balloon or dentures.
II Vomitus, regurgitated milk in infants.
III Due to inhaled blood from cut throat injury, tonsillectomy, after
tooth extraction or from injury to nose etc.
IV Respiratory pathology e.g. tumour, inflammation, diphtheria,
laryngeal oedema, drug allergy, blood, pus or secretions.
Violent Asphyxial Deaths
Crush Injury & Bansdola
Crush Injury
Crushing injury to the chestwall
1. penetrating Injury
2. Non penetrating Injury
Bansdola
- It is compression of chest 1 or 2 sticks.
Burking
It was the method used by Mr. Burk and Mr. Hare, who used to
kill people for selling dead bodies to Edinburgh Medical
School (During 1927-28, they sold 16 bodies to Dr. Robert
Knox. Reported by Christison).
Mr. Burk used to sit on chest of inebriated person, smother
with his left hand, and push the chin with his right hand; while
Mr. Hare holding the feet of the victim used to move him in the
room, till he was dead.
Burking is a combination of smothering and crush asphyxia.
Mr Burk Mr Hare
Inhalation of irrespirable gases
Suffocation may result from
I Hypoxia at high altitude
II Irrespirable gases.
III Being in confined space eg. box.
refrigerator, deep well.
IV Improper oxygenation during
anaesthesia.
V Smoke from burnt articles.
VI Inhalation of irritant fumes of acids. VII In some countries, gas chambers used
for capital punishment.
Cause of Death
1. Asphyxia.
2. Neurogenic shock (especially in smothering
and crush asphyxia). 3. Venous congestion (especially in crush
asphyxia).
4. Cerebral anoxia. 5. Laryngeal spasm (especially in gagging &
choking).
6. Injury to thoracic viscera (in crush asphyxia).
7. Any combination of above.
Fatal Period
May vary from sudden death to
death within 4-5 minutes.
Medicolegal Aspect of Suffocation
Suicidal
Homicidal
accidental