In order to conduct a decent forensic expertise, a professional has to understand that there is a difference between asphyxia, suicidal asphyxia, and strangulation, as they have different symptoms and causes. In general, asphyxia is the lack of oxygen supply to tissues or organs. Asphyxia is a general definition, which includes several types of it – suffocation, hanging, and strangulation (Rao, 2016). Determination as to whether it is accidental or suicidal asphyxia and strangulation one would have to view closely the specific details of the action. Based on the definition, accidental asphyxia means that someone is being in place with lack of oxygen – an example of such asphyxia could be a person who is locked himself in a refrigerator without access to oxygen, or an infant wedged between mattress and wall. Therefore it is clear that a person has no direct intent to cause himself asphyxia. Unfortunately, there is no specific autopsy findings.
Suicidal asphyxia, on the order hand, is quite rare. Being different from strangulation, it is quite difficult for a person to die from suicidal asphyxia, as a person has to obstruct his or her nose and mouth in order to prevent access to oxygen (Harle, 2016). Due to the fact that a person would probably struggle, as it is a basic instinct to reach for the air, it would be difficult for a person to cause suicidal asphyxia. Mostly, suicidal asphyxia is caused by placing a plastic bag over one's head and tightening around neck. Here, though, it is possible to find some sings of struggle, as an autopsy finding.
Strangulation, on the other hand, is quite similar to suicidal asphyxia, as a person himself decides to cause a suicide, or someone else decides to cause a homicide. In strangulation, a forensic expert can find pattern markings which were made by a string or a rope, which were used to suffocate a victim. Strangulation is a form of asphyxia when a person is causing an external pressure on neck with a help of a rope’s end, causing an obstruction of oxygen and blood vessels. Moreover, strangulation can be caused by a U-shaped ligature against side and front of a neck while standing. In this case, it is considered to be a homicidal strangulation (Rao, 2016).
References
Harle, L. (2016). Forensics section - Asphyxia. Pathologyoutlines.com. Retrieved 6 May 2016, from http://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/forensicsasphyxia.html
Rao, D. (2016). Ligature Strangulation. Forensicpathologyonline.com. Retrieved 6 May 2016, from http://www.forensicpathologyonline.com/e-book/asphyxia/ligature-strangulation
