Medicolegal Examination In Case Of Attempted Throttling.pptx

Medicolegal Examination In Case Of Attempted Throttling.pptx

1. Medicolegal Examination In Case Of Attempted Throttling Dr.Nafeeya Department of Forensic Medicine &Toxicology

2. Overview What is throttling ? Cause of death Manner of death Postmortem investigations Postmortem Appearance Medicolegal questions

3. Throttling Manual strangulation Asphyxia produced by compression of the neck by human hands Death – occlusions of carotid arteries or vagal inhibition Occlusion of airway – minor role

4. Mechanism Occlusion of B.V Blood supply to brain stopped Cerebral ischemia Death Pressure over carotid arteries Carotid bodies stimulated Vagal stimulation Cardiac inhibition Death

5. Manner of death Usually homicidal – Rape / sexual abuse-MC Accidental –Rare Suicidal –Not possible Infants,children women Healthy adults

6. Postmortem Investigations Authority – Sub- Inspector History – history of the incident –what ,when , where, which , who, why ,how ?????? History after the incident History before the incident Visit the scene of crime Identification of body by relatives

7. Cont….. Autopsy – preliminary investigation Photography of injuries Trace evidence collection External examination Internal examination

8. Bruises on the neck Assailants finger grasping on the neck Relative position of the assailants & victim The manner of grasping neck Degree of pressure exerted on the throat Oval / round shaped.1.5 – 2 cms

9. Bruise may not be seen Minimal pressure Material intervened Anemic Pressure was maintained

10. Abrasions Pressure of nails ,as fingers are dug deeply into the neck 3 types Crescentic – assailant Vertical –victim Horizontal-assailants Concavity Medially Laterally

11. Finger nail abrasions Gordon and Shapiro classification Static Regularly curved Comma shaped 1.5 cm Skid down Parallel ,linear Scratches –victim Females –large Shape of fingernails –largely determines result

12. Signs of struggle Defense scratches Vertical Multiple Almost parallel Superficial abrasions Bruises Scalp Back of head Muscles of chest & abdomen wall Fracture ribs

13. Internal examination-Bruising of neck structures Bruises – Dermis, Superficial fascia, Deep fascia, Muscles, Thyroid cartilage Bruise – absent externally Sternocleidomastoid ,strap muscles, platysma-show patches ,bleeding, frank hematoma, bruised, torn Carotid arteries – 10 to 15 %- intimal tear bruise- laryngeal mucous memberane

14. Artefacts Collection of blood Pharyngo-larygeal plexus Natural death Throttling Strangulation

15. Fracture of Thyroid cartilage Superior horn of thyroid gland Local pressure Right side horn –MC Blows to the front of neck ,fist, kicking Fall on the ridged object Vagal inhibition , Cardio-inhibitory reflex. Commando punch

16. Hyoid bone fracture

17. Signs of death due to throttling Cutaneous bruising & abrasion Extensive bruising with or without rupture of the neck muscles Engorgement of tissues Fractures Cricoid cartilage fracture Signs of asphyxia

18. Medicolegal issues If the victim was killed by throttling then hanged ???? If pm findings similar to throttling ???? Decomposed bodies ????

19. Reference Principles of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology Rajesh Bardalae Knights Forensic Pathology Anil Aggrawal textbook of forensic medicine and toxicology. V.V Pillay Forensic medicine book -4 th edition Narayan reddy essential of forensic medicine