Autopsy Findings- A Unique Case of Homicidal Strangulation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/jiafm.2023.45.3.16Keywords:
Ligature, Manual strangulation, HomicidalAbstract
To present and share, the classical autopsy findings of a unique case of homicidal strangulation. After meticulous scrutiny of relevant documents, autopsy was carried out at Kolkata Police Morgue, using standard autopsy protocol and ancillary investigations. Still photographs were taken observing standard protocol of Forensic Photography. A 62 year old man was found lying in a pool of blood, in injured condition. A long cloth was found behind his neck, in untied condition, which gave an initial suspicion of a case of ligature strangulation. Face, neck and fingernails, cyanosed. Blood on wearing apparel, noted. Hematoma over frontal region of scalp was present. Both eyelids, both ears, nose and both lips, ware bruised. Nasal bones, fractured. Evidence of multiple nail scratch abrasions over anterior aspect of the neck but no ligature mark could be found after careful examination. On dissection, strap muscles of neck, were bruised. On opening the thorax, thyroid and cricoid cartilages, ware found bruised and left greater cornu of hyoid bone showing inward compression fracture. Manual strangulation/throttling cases are not uncommon in a tertiary hospital morgue and usually a common method of committing homicide. Meticulous autopsy examination can solve riddles that may lead to erroneous conclusions, as presented in this case.
Downloads
References
Knight B, Saukko P. Knight`s Forensic Pathology. 3rd ed. Great Britain: Hodder Arnold; 2004. p 60-64.
Reddy KSN, Murty OP. The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. 3rd ed. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Publications; 2017. p 151-6.
Rao NG. Textbook of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. 33rd ed. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Publication; 2010. p 194-210.
Aggrawal A. Textbook of Forensic Medicine and
Toxicology. 3rd ed. New Delhi: APC Publications; 2017. p 179-83.
Gordon I, Shapiro H, Berson S. Forensic medicine- a guide to principles. 3rd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 1988.
Swann HE, Brucer M. 1949. Cardiorespiratory and biochemical events during rapid anoxic death: obstructive anoxia. Tex Rep Biol Med 7:593–9.
Gordon I, Turner R. Deaths from rapid anoxia. Am Med Assoc Arch Pathol. 1951; (2):316.
Camps FE, Hunt AC. Pressure on the neck. J Forensic Med 1959; (6):116–36.
Gonzalez TA. Fractures of the larynx. Arch Pathol. 1933; (150):55–62.
Harm T, Rajs J. Types of injuries and interrelated conditions of victims and assailants in attempted and homicidal strangulation. Forensic Sci Int. 1981; (18):101–23.
Wahlsten P, Eriksson A. Asphyxia Homicides in Finland, 1983-2012. J Forensic Sci. 2020 Sep;65(5):1548-56.
DiMaio, V. Homicidal Asphyxia. The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology. 2000; 21: 1-4.
Rayamane, Anand & V, Pradeep kumar & Patra, Ambika & T, Thejaswi & Katte, S & Tareeb, Syed. (2015). Pattern of Internal Neck Injuries in Strangulation Deaths With special reference to Laryngeal Fractures. Journal of Indain academy of forensic medicine. 37. 179-182.
Das S, Jena MK. Homicide by a combination of three different asphyxial methods, Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences, Volume 6, Issue 3, 2016, Pages 298-302, ISSN 2090-536X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejfs.2015.04.001.
Lupascu C, Lupascu D, Beldiman D. Mechanical asphyxia by three different mechanisms, Legal Medicine, Volume 5, Issue 2, 2003, Pages 110-111.
