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Asphyxia and Medicolegal Death
Investigation Questions With
Solutions
What is asphyxia?
Asphyxia results when a process causes lack of oxygen to the brain,
leading to unconsciousness and death.
What are anoxia and hypoxia?
Anoxia is the total lack of oxygen, while hypoxia is a decreased level of
oxygen to the brain and vital organs.
What are common causes of asphyxia?
Common causes include hanging, strangulation, drowning, and
mechanical causes like compression of the chest or positional
asphyxia.
What can extended periods of hypoxia lead to?
Extended periods of hypoxia can result in brain death.
What defines hanging in the context of asphyxia?
Hanging is a combination of a ligature around the neck and the body in
a position of either partial or full suspension.
Does hanging require the ligature to be tight?
No, hanging does not require the ligature to be tight and can occur in
various positions.
How can children accidentally become entangled in hanging
situations?
Children can become entangled in window blind strings, crib toys, or
wedged between furniture while in suspension.
What materials can be used to fashion a ligature for hanging?
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Ligatures can be made from rope, curtain, tow strap, shoestring, sheet,
belt, electrical cords, necklace, posey restraint, or pacifier string.
What types of knots are commonly used in ligatures for hanging?
Knots can range from a simple overhand knot to a full hangman's
noose.
What is the significance of the hangman's noose in hanging?
The hangman's noose is a scientific phenomenon where the number of
coils depends on the weight of the condemned and the type of rope
used.
What is a common finding in the neck during an internal
examination of a hanging victim?
An internal examination typically shows a compression area of the
tissues but rarely any hemorrhage or fractures of the hyoid or thyroid
cartilage.
What should be noted if a hanging occurs in a prison?
It is important to note where the items originated, as prisoners may not
have access to shoelaces or belts and may use bed sheet strips
instead.
Why is close observation necessary for depressed prisoners or
psychiatric patients?
Close observation is necessary because sudden improvement in
positive feelings may indicate a resolve to commit suicide rather than
true recovery.
What is usually the mechanism of death in hanging?
The mechanism of death is usually compression of blood flow to or
from the head, rather than airway obstruction or spinal column fracture.
What is the significance of drug intoxication in hanging cases?
Drug intoxication may be part of the findings in a toxicology test related
to the hanging.
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How can hanging occur in various positions?
Hanging can occur in sitting, standing, kneeling, or full suspension
positions.
What is a rare finding in neck fractures during suicidal hangings?
Fractures of the neck are rarely seen in suicidal hangings, as most are
done from a short-distance fall.
What are petechiae and their occurrence in hanging cases?
Petechiae are rarely seen in hanging cases.
What is important to observe if the decedent is a patient in a
psychiatric ward?
It is important to observe that patients are usually relieved of belts and
shoelaces, especially if on suicide watch.
What indicates a failure of a ligature in hanging cases?
Sometimes one ligature fails and will be found nearby while a different
one is found on the body.
What is the role of the knot's position in hanging?
The position of the knot behind the ears can aid in the fracture of the
cervical spine.
What is the relationship between the weight of the condemned
and the hanging mechanism?
The weight of the condemned is used to calculate the distance of the
drop through the trapdoor to prevent decapitation.
What is the weight of the human head?
About 10 lbs.
How much force is required to obstruct venous flow from the
head?
Approximately 7 lbs.
What amount of force is needed to obstruct arterial flow to the
brain?
Asphyxia and Medicolegal Death
Investigation Questions With
Solutions
What is asphyxia?
Asphyxia results when a process causes lack of oxygen to the brain,
leading to unconsciousness and death.
What are anoxia and hypoxia?
Anoxia is the total lack of oxygen, while hypoxia is a decreased level of
oxygen to the brain and vital organs.
What are common causes of asphyxia?
Common causes include hanging, strangulation, drowning, and
mechanical causes like compression of the chest or positional
asphyxia.
What can extended periods of hypoxia lead to?
Extended periods of hypoxia can result in brain death.
What defines hanging in the context of asphyxia?
Hanging is a combination of a ligature around the neck and the body in
a position of either partial or full suspension.
Does hanging require the ligature to be tight?
No, hanging does not require the ligature to be tight and can occur in
various positions.
How can children accidentally become entangled in hanging
situations?
Children can become entangled in window blind strings, crib toys, or
wedged between furniture while in suspension.
What materials can be used to fashion a ligature for hanging?
,2|Page
Ligatures can be made from rope, curtain, tow strap, shoestring, sheet,
belt, electrical cords, necklace, posey restraint, or pacifier string.
What types of knots are commonly used in ligatures for hanging?
Knots can range from a simple overhand knot to a full hangman's
noose.
What is the significance of the hangman's noose in hanging?
The hangman's noose is a scientific phenomenon where the number of
coils depends on the weight of the condemned and the type of rope
used.
What is a common finding in the neck during an internal
examination of a hanging victim?
An internal examination typically shows a compression area of the
tissues but rarely any hemorrhage or fractures of the hyoid or thyroid
cartilage.
What should be noted if a hanging occurs in a prison?
It is important to note where the items originated, as prisoners may not
have access to shoelaces or belts and may use bed sheet strips
instead.
Why is close observation necessary for depressed prisoners or
psychiatric patients?
Close observation is necessary because sudden improvement in
positive feelings may indicate a resolve to commit suicide rather than
true recovery.
What is usually the mechanism of death in hanging?
The mechanism of death is usually compression of blood flow to or
from the head, rather than airway obstruction or spinal column fracture.
What is the significance of drug intoxication in hanging cases?
Drug intoxication may be part of the findings in a toxicology test related
to the hanging.
, 3|Page
How can hanging occur in various positions?
Hanging can occur in sitting, standing, kneeling, or full suspension
positions.
What is a rare finding in neck fractures during suicidal hangings?
Fractures of the neck are rarely seen in suicidal hangings, as most are
done from a short-distance fall.
What are petechiae and their occurrence in hanging cases?
Petechiae are rarely seen in hanging cases.
What is important to observe if the decedent is a patient in a
psychiatric ward?
It is important to observe that patients are usually relieved of belts and
shoelaces, especially if on suicide watch.
What indicates a failure of a ligature in hanging cases?
Sometimes one ligature fails and will be found nearby while a different
one is found on the body.
What is the role of the knot's position in hanging?
The position of the knot behind the ears can aid in the fracture of the
cervical spine.
What is the relationship between the weight of the condemned
and the hanging mechanism?
The weight of the condemned is used to calculate the distance of the
drop through the trapdoor to prevent decapitation.
What is the weight of the human head?
About 10 lbs.
How much force is required to obstruct venous flow from the
head?
Approximately 7 lbs.
What amount of force is needed to obstruct arterial flow to the
brain?
