An overhung mute suspect died during restraint - Is this a case of positional asphyxia?
Long Chen1, Hui Pan1, Jianlong Ma1
1Department of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Medical School of Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Positional asphyxia is a specific type of suffocation that results from the body being forced and fixed in a particular position causing death by suffocation. The body exhibits obvious general characteristics of death by suffocation. We report a case of custody death that may have been caused by positional asphyxia. The mute criminal suspect died in a detention room after arrest. The suspect was found unconscious and died following placement in a hanging position for 8 h. We reviewed the case with respect to the autopsy findings, pathological changes, and specific scene where the death occurred as well as the circumstantial correlation of the investigation.
Related Concept Videos
Anatomical Positions
The body is upright, facing forward, and standing erect.
The feet are parallel and flat on the floor.
The arms are hanging by the...
Acute Respiratory Failure-IV
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management
Pneumothorax-I
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Flail Chest-I
Flail chest is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the fracture of three or more adjacent ribs in multiple places. It is most commonly caused by direct impacts and trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or injuries from a steering wheel impact. It can also occur due to falls in elderly individuals with osteoporosis, or assaults involving sharp objects.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of flail chest is complex, involving fractures of...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection
Chest Configuration
The chest configuration...


