THE DEATH FROM STRANGLING. A SUICIDE, A MURDER OR AN UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT?

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to draw attention to the problem of human deaths qualifications (including the biological mechanisms), and to outline the issue of identifying the event as a suicide, a murder or an accident. There are three ways of strangling: hanging, strangulation and choking. Elements of each of them are described, as well as differences between them. All of their features in conjunction with the forensic techniques may be helpful in understanding the subject. The paper also includes examples of the practice of forensic reports. Determining the cause of death is often a nuisance to those who carry out the inspection, and even raises doubts among judicial physicians themselves. Due to this fact, the author mentions about: the confluence of causes of death, murder simulated by suicide, suicides masked with murder as well as a combined suicide and post-aggression suicide.