Korean J Leg Med.
2004 Oct;28(2):61-63.
Positional Asphyxia of the Paralyzed: Implicated on the View of Death Scene
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Forensic Medicine, National Institute of Scientific Investigation, Korea. ysk007@nisi.go.kr
Abstract
- Positional or postural asphyxia, which is clodely allied to traumatic asphyxia, means a fatal condition causing mechanical interference with pulmonary ventilation resulting from the adoption of particular body positions. To distinguish it from other form of asphyxia may be extremely difficult and therefore we need a full information about death scene and victim's history. The authors had experienced a case of putried corpse who had a history of paraplegia caused by traffic accident several years ago and he was found dead in trapped between bed and opened door of refrigerator. The autopsy finding was negative because of decomposition and toxicology was also negative. We will emphasize on the importance of finding of death scene.
