Injuries & Mechanical Asphyxia

Topics in this chapter

• Blunt Force Injuries
• Firearm Injuries and Ballistics
• Wound Vitality and Forensic Histology
• Mechanical Asphyxia Pathophysiology
• Hanging and Ligature Strangulation
• Drowning and Diatom Testing
• Positional and Restraint Asphyxia

Practice questions

1. Question 1Q-8DBBEA

   A 30-year-old man is brought to the emergency department following an assault with a heavy, blunt cylindrical pipe. Examination reveals a scalp wound with irregular, ragged edges, bridging tissue of blood vessels and nerves at the base, and surrounding abrasion and contusion. How is this wound best classified?

   1. A.Incision
   2. B.Laceration
   3. C.Puncture wound
   4. D.Clean-cut wound
   See the answer and solution
2. Question 2Q-8F2937

   During the autopsy of a victim found hanging by a rope, the forensic expert notes a parchment-like, yellowish-brown, hard, translucent area at the site where the ligature was applied. What does this macroscopic appearance signify?

   1. A.Postmortem decomposition
   2. B.Cutaneous abrasion/drying of the skin (Scheintod)
   3. C.Chemical burn from rope fibers
   4. D.Electrical arcing mark
   See the answer and solution
3. Question 3Q-632613

   A 25-year-old construction worker falls from scaffolding and sustains a severe vehicular-like crush injury to his pelvis. At autopsy, extensive soft tissue damage is found without any external breach of the skin, yet large amounts of blood have accumulated in the tissue spaces. This type of closed blunt injury is classically termed a:

   1. A.Contusion
   2. B.Abrasion
   3. C.Morel-Lavallée lesion
   4. D.Punctured wound
   See the answer and solution
4. Question 4Q-79B6DC

   A dead body is recovered from a deep lake. Autopsy findings include fine, white, persistent foam (lather) around the nostrils and mouth, hyperinflated and soggy lungs that pit on pressure (emphysema aquosum), and water in the sphenoid sinus. Which finding is the most reliable pathological indicator of death by drowning in water?

   1. A.Paltauf's spots on the pleura
   2. B.Presence of diatoms in the femoral bone marrow
   3. C.Fluid in the middle ear cavity
   4. D.Full stomach containing large volumes of water
   See the answer and solution
5. Question 5Q-51CF6F

   A 40-year-old man is brought dead after a violent struggle during which he was held down in a prone position with heavy weight applied to his back. At autopsy, there are petechial hemorrhages in the conjunctivae, facial congestion, and petechiae on the visceral pleura, but no significant internal neck structure damage or hyoid bone fracture. What is the most likely cause of asphyxial death?

   1. A.Typical hanging
   2. B.Traumatic asphyxia
   3. C.Postural (positional) asphyxia
   4. D.Choking
   See the answer and solution