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Abstract SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION Suffocation is used as a general term, rather than asphyxia. The different forms of suffocation cover a wide spectrum. No morphologic, histologic or biochemical findings exist which are diagnostic of death by asphyxia, particularly in the absence of other confirmatory evidence. All other causes of death must be ruled out before giving a cause of death by suffocation. The findings of an autopsy, however, often provide clear evidence of the causes leading to suffocation. For instance, in cases of thoracic compression, strangulation, aspiration or gagging, characteristic findings are to be expected. In a case of hypoxic suffocation, however, the findings are often very subtle and unreliable or non-existent. Death by suffocation should therefore only be assumed if (a) the findings are typical of suffocation and supported by other evidence, and (b) any other possible causes of death are ruled out. On other words, in practical forensic pathology, the classical signs of asphyxia as cyanosis, fluidity of the blood, petechial haemorrhages, cardiac dilatation and visceral congestion are oftenly found in many rapid deaths, as well as, they are not specifically associated with asphyxia. The mere presence of any of the before going discussed non-specific features, without firm identified local pathological changes, dependent upon the type of death, is quite insufficient to establish diagnosis of asphyxia. A broken hyoid is not a mortal injury, but it is only an inconstant marker of pressure on the neck. -a 111 it. |