Chapter Six (88-97) Strangulation and Suffocation

Chapter 6: HW Check What is the difference between strangulation and suffocation? (Q.4) 2,3,4. List THREE clues that indicate that a victim died as a result of manual strangulation. (Q.8) 5. Name three indications that suggest a gradual asphyxia took place. (Q.11)

ASPHYXIATION STRANGULATION SUFFOCATION CHOKING CARBON MONOXIDE SMOTHERING CHOKING CARBON MONOXIDE

4. What is the difference between strangulation and suffocations? Strangulation is caused by cord, rope, wire, or by hand by restricting the ability to breath by restricting ones airway. Often, the victim dies because the supply of blood and oxygen to the brain is cut off. Suffocation may be due to a pillow or plastic bag over ones face restricting the amount of available oxygen. May also be caused by excessive weight on the victims chest.

Death by Strangulation •Blood supply cut off from reaching brain Block throat and neck

Death by Suffocation •Air prevented from entering lungs •Unconscious first –then death Block nose mouth or throat

Death by Separation of Vertebrate •Separating spinal cord –Neck snaps •Instant death

Describe the “implements” that may be used in a strangulation: Cord, rope, wire, bare hands

2. Provide examples of how a suffocation might take place: Pillow, plastic bag, The weight of an attacker

3. What is “crush asphyxia” and what would indicate to a forensic examiner that this had happened? Occurs when one becomes trapped in a crowd, or another situation where there is enough weight on their chest to make it impossible to breath. This is indicated by haemorrhaging from the head and chest and around the eyeballs, which are full of excess fluid

5. What is the definition of smothering, and what are some examples of accidental smothering? Death is caused by an inability to breath, rather than a lack of oxygen. Children and plastic bags Influence of drugs or alcohol cause one to become entangled in clothing or bedding. Choking on food or vomit.

6. Why is smothering often the method of choice amongst criminals? Hope that because there are no obvious injuries present, investigators will rule out “foul play”. May look like a heart attack or a seizure.

7. Describe the technique known to criminals and police as “Burking”. The act of killing someone by kneeling on their chest and covering their nose and mouth, effectively preventing them from breathing.

8. In point form, list SEVEN clues that would indicated to a forensic scientist that the victim had died as a result of manual strangulation Bruising caused by the force of manual strangulation Circular bruises about about half an inch cause by thumbs and finger tips. Curved bruises caused by fingertips.

Self-inflicted bite marks on the victims tongue Bruising of the surrounding area including the larynx, voice box and the floor of the mouth. The hyoid bone, the curved bone at the base of the tongue may have been broken. If excessive forces is used the cartilage of the windpipe and larynx may also be broken. Haemorrhaging around the eyes.

9. As a criminal investigator on the crime scene, what evidence might you look for to determine whether a victim took his or her own life by hanging or was the victim of a homicide? If the victim committed suicide, investigators will look for the ladder or chair that they used to stand on while putting on the noose. Look for mark on the beam from which they were supposedly hung.

10. What is a ligature? How does evidence of ligature strangulation differ from that of a manual strangulation? A ligature is a device such as a rope or cord, which is pulled tight around the neck in order to strangle. Distinguished from hangings in that the victims own body weight is not used. Marks of ligature are usually horizontal and found lower on the neck than those of a hanging.

A deep and narrow mark indicates some form of wire, cord, or cable. A wider, shallower scar suggests a tie, belt, or scarf was used. The type of ligature and the way it is used can help identify the killer. Strangulation by ligature needs less pressure than manual strangulation and therefore leaves less of a bruise and causes less damage to the larynx, windpipe, and surround muscles.

11. What are the indications that would lead a forensic examiner to believe that a gradual asphyxia had taken place? Swollen face with a purple tinge Pinpoint haemorrhages around the eyes, voice box and windpipe

12. How did early hangings in eighteenth-century England differ from those more humane methods used later on? The noose would be tied around the neck of the criminal, and he or she would be hoisted off the ground. This could lead to a long and painful death. Later on, a tighter noose was used and a longer drop. This help ensure the rope tightened with a jerk and hopefully dislocated the neck, severing the spinal cord, and leading to instantaneous death.

Death by Hanging There have been a number of different forms of hanging that have been used throughout history. Short Drop Prisoner would be placed at the back of a horse drawn cart with noose around the neck. Would be pushed off and dragged Death is caused by suffocation and is slow and painful Suspension Hanging Prisoner is hoisted off the ground.

Standard Drop Long Drop A calculated drop between 4 and 6 feet. Supposed to be more humane, as it is designed to break the prisoners neck. Long Drop Used one’s weight to determine the length of the drop. Some drops became so long that decapitation occurred.

Hangings in Canada Death by hanging was the only form of capital punishment used in Canada. Before Canada eliminated the death penalty for murder on July 14, 1976, 1,481 people were sentenced to death, with 710 executed. Of those executed, 697 were men and 13 were women. The last execution in Canada was on December 10, 1962.