Manual Strangulation (Throttling)
Definition
Asphyxia produced by application of the assailant's hands to the neck, compressing carotid arteries, jugular veins, and trachea. Produces fingertip bruising and crescentic fingernail abrasions on the neck, hyoid or thyroid cartilage fractures, and strap-muscle haemorrhage.
Related terms
- Anatomy Act 1832
- UK statute prompted by the Burke and Hare murders that legalised use of unclaimed bodies for medical education, removing the economic incentive...
- Burking
- A combined method of homicide by simultaneous smothering (nose and mouth occlusion) and chest compression, preventing thoracic expansion. Named for William Burke...
- Crescentic Fingernail Abrasion
- A crescent-shaped skin abrasion produced by a fingernail during manual strangulation, with concave margin pointing toward the applied finger. Distinguishes manual throttling...
- Frenulum Tear
- A tear in the frenulum labii (the midline fold connecting the upper lip to the gum), produced by forceful smothering pressure; present...
- Gag-and-Bind Asphyxia
- Asphyxia produced by oropharyngeal or nasal obstruction from a gag combined with physical restraint preventing airway clearance; encountered in robbery, kidnapping, and...
- SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
- A diagnosis of exclusion under the AAP definition: sudden unexpected death of an infant under one year, occurring apparently during sleep, unexplained...
- Smothering
- Asphyxia by occlusion of the external respiratory orifices (nose and mouth) without neck compression. May produce minimal or no external marks; internal...
Explained in
- Manual Strangulation and SmotheringAsphyxia produced by application of the assailant's hands to the neck, compressing carotid arteries, jugular veins, and trachea. Produces fingertip bruising an...