SUFFOCATION
Dr. Shruti Saxena
MD(AYU), PGDEMS, CCAM, CCGS, CCCP, CCUV, CCAKS
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Agadtantra
DEFINITION
Suffocation is a type of mechanical asphyxia caused :
● Either due to lack of o2 in the environment or
● By mechanical obstruction to the air passage by means other than
constriction of neck and drowning.
CAUSES
Suffocation may be produced by:-
External Internal Environmental
Means Means causes
By closure of Closure of glottis or Death caused by
mouth and nostril mouth by insertion of reduction of o2 in
soft cloth, paper etc. the atmosphere
Ex: Smothering Ex: Decomposition
Ex: Gagging
Traumatic asphyxia High altitude
Choking
Vitiated
❖ It is form of asphyxia
caused by mechanical
occlusion of the external
respiratory orifices i.e.
Smothering nose and mouth.
❖ Death is caused by
obstructing the air
passage.
AUTOPSY FINDINGS
EXTERNALLY
➔ There may be Pale area around the mouth and nose, due to the
pressure of object.
➔ Nose may be flattened and its septum may be fractured.
➔ Scratches and nail marks on the face of the victim are also
frequently present.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit Lorem ipsum dolor sit Lorem ipsum dolor sit
amet, consectetur amet, consectetur amet, consectetur
➔ Lip, gums and tongue —----> May show bruising and laceration.
INTERNALLY
➔ Intrathoracic petechiae are common.
➔ Plastic bag suffocation(Homicidal) → Intentionally with pillow & hand.
(Accidental) →Lorem
Children play
ipsum dolor sit with bag
amet, consectetur
MEDICOLEGAL IMPORTANCE
★ Homicidal smothering is common.
Intentionally smothering with pillows/hands.
If hands are used, it lead :
Lorem ipsum dolor sit Lorem ipsum dolor sit Lorem ipsum dolor sit
1. consectetur
amet, Perioral injuries (Abrasion/bruises)
amet, consectetur amet, consectetur
2. Lip injuries
★ Accidental smothering is rare.
• Children playing with plastic bag.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit
amet, consectetur
• Adult falls into pile of sand/mud
MEDICOLEGAL IMPORTANCE
★ Sexually perverted person may cover the head with plastic bag during
Lorem ipsum dolor sit Lorem ipsum dolor sit Lorem ipsum dolor sit
Autoerotic activity
amet, consectetur
and get suffocated.
amet, consectetur amet, consectetur
★ A newborn baby may die due to suffocation. If the baby is born with
membrane (amniotic sac) covered with (cul de sac birth or caul birth).
Lorem ipsum dolor sit
amet, consectetur
❖ Gagging is a type of asphyxia
caused by preventing the air
entry into the respiratory
tract by stuffing, gag
Gagging material into the mouth.
❖ The gag material may be
rolled cloth, cotton, rug,
paper.
MECHANISM
➢ A gag is pushed into the mouth to occlude the pharynx.
➢ Initially, the airway remains patent through nostril but due
constant
Lorem ipsum dolor foreign
sit body irritation,
Loremthere is sitpooling of saliva
ipsum dolor Loremand
ipsum dolor sit
amet, consectetur amet, consectetur amet, consectetur
mucous secretion.
➢ The secretion soak the gag material and swell up. Thus due to
increase in size of gag, it obstruct the air passage.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit
amet, consectetur
MECHANISM
Thrusting of cloth/pad into mouth
Obstruction
Lorem ipsum dolor sit of pharynx Lorem ipsum dolor sit Lorem ipsum dolor sit
amet, consectetur amet, consectetur amet, consectetur
Lead to Asphyxia
Lorem ipsum dolor sit
amet, consectetur
AUTOPSY FINDINGS
➢ Congestion and abrasion of hard and soft palate with edema of
Lorem ipsum dolor sit Lorem ipsum dolor sit Lorem ipsum dolor sit
pharynx.
amet, consectetur amet, consectetur amet, consectetur
➢ Gag may be present in the oral cavity.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit
amet, consectetur
MEDICOLEGAL IMPORTANCE
➢ Homicidal Death - Gags are inserted into the mouth of infants or
Lorem ipsum dolor sit Lorem ipsum dolor sit Lorem ipsum dolor sit
incapacitated
amet, consectetur
person with an intention to kill them.
amet, consectetur amet, consectetur
➢ Sometime accidental death - may occur when gag is inserted into
the mouth of a victim to prevent from shouting.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit
amet, consectetur