SMOTHERING

KARTHICK R MALTHEANZ 09

DEFINITION

Smothering is a form of asphyxia which is caused by closing the external respiratory orifices either by hand or by other means.

Smothering can be also done by blocking up the cavities of the nose and mouth by the introduction of a foreign substance, such as mud,paper,cloth, etc

SUICIDAL SMOTHERING

Suicidal smothering is impossible. Suicide is possible by burying the face in a

matress or lying against the bed clothing to obstruct the nose and mouth

It is usually seen in mental patients and prisoners.

Suicidal suffocation can be effected by tying a polythene bag or similar bag over the head.

In cut throat wounds, the trachea may be completely cut and the soft parts may obstruct the trachea and the victim is smothered.

ACCIDENTAL SMOTHERING

Most of the fatal smotherings are fatal.

An epileptic or intoxicated person may smother himself accidentally by burying his face in a pillow or by covering with bed clothes

A person may accidentally fall in to a large quantity of semisolid or finely divided material like, mud, ashes ,feathers, grain, sand, coal etc

the victim may struggle, inhale some of the material into his air passages and swallow some into his stomach in an effort to breathe.

Children may be suffocated accidentally while playing with plastic bags.

Smothering from plastic bags may occur due to the addictive habit of “glue-sniffing” , in which the organic solvents of certain solvents is used as an intoxicant, by putting obtain a high concentration of vapour .

Death may even occur if the open end of the bag is not tied around the neck due to cardiac inhibition

Plastic bags may be applied to the head for experiment or auto-erotic exercise, as partial asphyxia is believed to increase sexual sensation.

It also occurs if the membranes remain round the head of the newborn after delivery.

HOMICIDAL SMOTHERING

Homicide is possible where the victim is incapacitated from drink or drugs, very weak, child or older person, illness , and the victim is stunned by a blow

Usually the mouth and nose are closed by a cloth or hand , or the face may be pressed into a pillow.

BURKING: The term burking is often ascribed to a killing method that involves simultaneous smothering and compression of the torso.

WILLIAM BURKE and WILLAM HARE They killed the usually – intoxicated victims

by sitting on their chests and suffocating them by putting a hand over their nose and mouth, using the other hand to push the victim’s jaw up.

The corpses were supplied to medical schools for money

WILLIAM BURKE and WILLIAM HARE

AUTOPSY

Obstruction by bed clothing , a pillow , a cushion,etc.,applied with skill , may not leave any external signs of violence , especially in the very young and the old.

The asphyxial signs and symptoms are severe because death usually results due to asphyxia.

If the orifices are closed by hand , there may be scratches, distinct nail-marks, or lacerations of the soft parts of the victim’s face.

The lips, gums and tongue may show bruising or laceration.

The tongue may be protruded , and may have been bitten.

In some cases death is due to reflex cardiac arrest , and asphyxial signs are absent.

Signs of asphyxia are faint or absent in case of plastic bag suffocation. Moisture usally collects in the bag

INTERNAL CHANGES Bloodstained frothy fluid is present in air

passages. Slight acute emphysemas and oedema of the

lungs with scattered areas of atelectasis , petechiae and congestion are the major findings.

The internal organs are deeply congested and some times show small haemorrhages.

If a person is buried alive, earth and sand will be found in the respiratory tract.

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