Forensic aspects of anoxic deaths Flashcards
1
Q
Types of anoxia
A
- anoxic anoxia
- anaemic anoxia
- histotoxic anoxias
- stagnant anoxia
2
Q
External causes of airway obstruction
A
- smothering
- strangulation
- throttling
- hanging
3
Q
Internal causes of airway obstruction
A
- choking
- drowning
- diptheria
4
Q
Causes of anoxic anoxia
A
- vitiated atmosphere
- obstruction
- disease (pulmonary fibrosis)
5
Q
Causes of pulmonary fibrosis
A
- TB
- Mendelssohn’s syndrome
- ARDS
- diffuse fibrosis after Paraquat poisoning
6
Q
Types of histotoxic anoxias
A
- extracellular (cyanide)
- pericellular (halogenated hydrocarbons)
- substrate
- metabolic (CO2 poisoning)
7
Q
Potential causes of stagnant anoxia
A
- exposure to severe cold
- constricting ties or ropes
- neurogenic cardiac arrest
8
Q
Possible signs of anoxia at autopsy
A
- petechial haemorrhages, cyanosis
- other operative mechanisms (fluid in lungs)
- causation signs (bruises, ligature marks)
- other possible causes of death
9
Q
Stages of asphyxia
A
- inspiratory dyspnoea and cyanosis
- expiratory dyspnoea, bradycardia, hypertension, unconsciousness, dilated pupils
- collapse with tachycardia, hypotension, defecation, engorgement of penis
- respiratory arrest
10
Q
Signs of anoxia at autopsy
A
- visceral congestion
- petechial haemorrhages
- unclotted blood
- cardiac dilatation
- cyanosis
- pulmonary oedema
11
Q
Mechanisms of death in choking
A
- laryngeal spasm
- foreign body impaction
- bolus death
- pneumonia, etc.
12
Q
Who is prone to bolus deaths?
A
- ill-fitting dentures
- alcoholic intoxication
- mentally retarded
- after head injury
13
Q
Mechanisms of death in strangulation
A
- construction of airway
- compression of carotid sinus (reflex cardiac arrest)
- occlusion of carotid arteries (cerebral ischaemia)
14
Q
Postmortem findings in strangulation
A
- ligature marks
- fractures of hyoid bone
- paleness of face and neck
- marked asphyxial signs
15
Q
Why might a law enforcement neck hold cause death?
A
- underlying disease or congenital anomaly
- accidental airway obstruction
- injuries to vertebral arteries
