Mechanical Asphyxia MCQs

Ans. is 'a' i.e., Mugging [Ref Reddy 30th/e p. 321] Mugging: Strangulation is caused by holding the neck of the victim in the bend of the elbow. Garrotting: The victim is attacked from behind. The throat may be grasped or a ligature is thrown over the neck & quickly tightened, by twisting it with a lever, which results in sudden loss in consciousness and collapse. Bansdola: one strong bamboo or stick is placed across the back of the neck & another across the front. Both the ends are tied with a rope due to which the victim is squeezed to death

From the given options, the hippocampus is most likely to show evidence of damage in the case of a hypoxic brain injury like strangulation . However, third and fourth cortical layers are best for displaying the histological changes of hypoxia. The parts of the brain most suitable for seeking evidence of hypoxic damage are: Hippocampus (especially CA1 sector = Sommer's area and subiculum) Cerebellar folia Globus pallidus in the basal ganglia Boundary zones of the cerebral cortex where the grey matter is most vulnerable because it lies at the terminal reaches of the arterial supply (for example, parasagittally at the middle frontal gyrus where the watershed between middle and anterior cerebral arteries lies). The third and fourth cortical layers are best for displaying the histological changes of hypoxia. Reference: Knight's Forensic Pathology, 4 th Edition, Page No. 207

Laryngeal spasm is not a cause of death suicidal hanging. Causes of death in hanging: Asphyxia (Fatal hypoxia → when O2 Level falls Venous congestion Combined asphyxia & Venous congestion Cerebral ischemia Reflex vagal inhibition Fracture or dislocation of cervical vertebrae References: Knight's Forensic Pathology, 4th edition, Page No. 369; The Essentials of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, KS Narayan Reddy, 35th edition, Page No. 261, 262

The knot in a case of judicial hanging is placed under the ear in India. A legal death sentence is carried out by hanging the criminal. The face of the person is covered with a dark mask and he is made to stand on a platform above trapdoors. A rope to allow a drop of five to seven metres according to the weight, build and age of the person, is looped around the neck, with the knot under the angle of the jaw. Although placing the knot beneath the chin i.e., the submental position is said to be a more effective way (slipping is disadvantage), a knot at the left angle of the jaw (below the ear) is the most widely practised method of judicial hanging in India. References: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, KS Narayan Reddy, 35th edition, Page No. 268, Textbook of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Anil Aggrawal, Page No. 376

Explanation: In an inverted crucifixion, death occurs due to postural asphyxia. Postural/Positional Asphyxia: It is a form of asphyxia, caused by the exclusion of air from the lungs due to the abnormal position of the body. In the case of inverted crucifixion , the abdominal viscera fall upon the diaphragm, which in turn compresses the lungs leading to asphyxia as a result of the impedance of inspiration Traumatic Asphyxia (Option B) is a form of asphyxia, in which air entry into the lungs is inhibited by mechanical fixation of the chest → preventing respiratory movements Suffocation (Option A) is a type of asphyxia caused by either due to lack of oxygen in the environment (Environmental suffocation) or mechanical obstruction to the air passage by means other than constriction of the neck and drowning. Mechanical asphyxia (Option D): Asphyxia by mechanical/physical forces.