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Two cases of death due to plastic bag suffocation
1Department of Pathology (Forensic section), Faculty of Medicine University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Medicine, Science, and the Law
|February 24, 2001
Summary
Plastic bag asphyxia deaths, including suicide and sexual asphyxia, are reported in Malaysia. Autopsy findings can be subtle, making scene investigation crucial for accurate death investigation.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Plastic bag asphyxia, though uncommon, is a documented cause of death globally.
- While prevalent in Western countries, its occurrence in Malaysia is less reported.
Observation:
- This study presents two cases of death due to plastic bag asphyxia in Malaysia.
- Both victims were 50-year-old married Chinese males, with one case diagnosed as suicide and the other as sexual asphyxia.
Findings:
- Sexual asphyxia, typically associated with Western populations, was observed in one Malaysian case.
- Autopsy findings in plastic bag asphyxia can be non-specific, potentially leading to missed diagnoses if the scene is altered.
Implications:
- Highlights the need for thorough scene investigation in suspected plastic bag asphyxia cases.
- Suggests that plastic bag asphyxia, including sexual asphyxia, may occur in Malaysia despite limited reporting.
- Emphasizes the importance of forensic pathology expertise in identifying subtle signs of asphyxial death.