["Bolus fatalities" in an autopsy sample 1981 to 1989]

Resulting from a historical study of the so-called bolus death (choking) an 8-years analysis of 11 bolus cases is presented, the autopsies of which were carried out at the Institute of Forensic Medicine Chemnitz. External conditions, autopsy findings, and accompanying investigations carried out are considered. In five cases a bolus was found in the pharynx, just in front of the larynx entrance, and three times each in the larynx, causing the blockade of the larynx entrance, and in the trachea. A correlation between the localisation of the foreign substance and the presence respectively expression degree of the macromorphological signs of asphyxia was not evident. In conclusion a discussion to differentiate reflex mechanisms from asphyxia mechanisms following foreign substance aspiration is given.