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[Strangulation fatalities in childhood]
U Lockemann1, E Koops, K Püschel
1Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universität Hamburg.
Insights
Forensic autopsies revealed 30 child strangulation deaths over a decade. Most child strangulations were homicides, but accidental and suicidal strangulations also occurred.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Pediatric Autopsy Studies
Background:
- Review of 12,000 autopsies at the Institute for Forensic Medicine, University of Hamburg (1981-1990).
- Focus on 30 cases of strangulation in children up to 14 years old.
Observation:
- Analysis of 30 pediatric strangulation cases: 16 females, 14 males.
- Categorization of deaths: 7 accidental (infancy), 18 homicides (all ages), 4 suicides (older children).
- One undetermined case (suicide vs. accident).
Findings:
- Homicide was the most frequent cause of strangulation deaths in children within this cohort.
- Accidental strangulation predominantly occurred in infants.
- Suicide by strangulation was observed in older children.
Implications:
- Highlights the significance of strangulation as a cause of death in pediatric forensic cases.
- Underscores the need for thorough investigation to differentiate between accidental, suicidal, and homicidal strangulation.
- Provides epidemiological and morphological data for forensic analysis of child strangulation.
Abstract:
The 12,000 obductions at the Institute for Forensic Medicine of the University of Hamburg from 1981 to 1990 included 30 cases of strangulation in children up to the age of 14 years (16 females, 14 males). 7 of these cases had been accidents (during infancy), 18 children had been murdered (all age groups), 4 children (elder ones) had committed suicide. In one case it could not be decided whether the reason of death had been suicide or an accident. Summarized data concerning epidemiological, phenomenological and morphological aspects are presented. Two case histories give some hints to special aspects of accidental strangulation and homicide among children.