Two Cases of Suicidal Asphyxia by Neck Compression

Abstract

In majority of deaths from asphyxiation that affect the cerebral blood flow, compression occurs at the neck. Compressive asphyxia caused by a heavy weight is usually the result of an accident. The authors used the Korean national police agency's scientific crime analysis system to identify two cases of suicide by strangulation which were not otherwise specified, wherein asphyxiation occurred from an object pressing on the neck. In the first case, a man in his 50s died after the compression of his neck with a barbell shaft using a bench press. In the second case, a man in his 80s died due to compression from the side bar of a single bed that pressed on his neck. As far as the authors know, there have been no reported cases of suicide in forensic literature that occurred due to compression from an object such as a barbell shaft of a bench press or a side bar of a bed. Upon classifying the types of asphyxiation, accurate statistics should be prepared and researched, with accurate understanding and classification of the terms therein. Each case in the present report is discussed along with a brief literature review.