Asphyxia Homicides in Finland, 1983–2012

Abstract

Finland has one of the highest homicide rates in Western Europe, and almost every tenth homicide is caused by asphyxiation. Reliable statistics, a strict legislation, and an exceptionally high medico‐legal autopsy rate formed a base for a nationwide analysis of asphyxia homicides (n = 383) during 30 years. The cases were identified through multiple records, and all the forensic pathology case files were studied in detail. In more than one out of five cases, there were indications of staging, and the homicide was revealed first at autopsy in close to one in ten cases. The vast majority of the homicides took place in private locations and involved persons known to each other. Every third victim was an intimate partner, and every tenth a child. Almost half of the victims died from manual strangulation, one in three from ligature strangulation. Smothering, choking, neck compression with a firm object, and thoracic compression were more rare methods. Drownings were excluded from this study material. Of all the victims, 7% had no observable external injuries. Petechiae were recorded in approximately in 61%, laryngohyoid fractures in 47%, and vocal cord hemorrhages in 16% of the cases. Every tenth female victim had genital injuries. Toxicological analyses were performed in close to all of the cases, and almost three out of four victims tested positive for blood alcohol. The various aspects of the demographics and autopsy findings covered in this study contribute reliable and accurate data to further strengthen the spectrum of observable medico‐legal characteristics of asphyxia homicides.

Diagnostics of mechanical asphyxia – experience of foreign countries (literature review)

“…After a thorough study of archival cases for the period 1983-2012, the circumstances under which it can be stated that the murder itself took place were revealed. They also indicate a high percentage of official negligence and incompetence of researchers [16].…”

Diatom-Positive Cadaver: Drowning or Homicide?

“…During the external examination conducted before the initial burial, no ligature mark was observed, which is highly suggestive of manual strangulation. In other studies, 68.3% [ 15 ], 70% [ 16 ], and 51% [ 17 ], of manual strangulation cases had laryngohyoid fractures, more often in connection with a manual than with ligature strangulation [ 17 ]. Thus, asphyxia as a result of manual strangulation was the most likely conclusion in this case.…”

Autopsia médico legal: asfixia mecánica por ahorcadura versus asfixia mecánica por estrangulación

“…De acuerdo a la literatura consultada, la asfixia es el mecanismo de muerte común, tanto para el ahorcamiento, como para el estrangulamiento y, es el resultado de la deprivación aguda de oxígeno; sin embargo; existen notables diferencias entre ambos mecanismos de muerte, que deben ser tenidos en cuenta al momento del análisis médico forense de las víctimas (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13).…”

“…En cuanto al estrangulamiento, la literatura consultada indica que es más frecuente que la víctima sea mujer, y que ocurra en manos de un familiar, ex pareja o conocido. Esto se ha explicado porque, las mujeres con víctimas de violencia doméstica y sexual con mayor frecuencia que los hombres, además de tener menor tamaño y peso corporal, por lo que es más fácil someterlas (8,10). Sin embargo, en una investigación realizada por Suffla et al,(36) El ahorcamiento fue más común entre los hombres que en las mujeres, con una proporción de 5: 2.…”

“…Con esto, se produce un déficit de oxígeno generalizado, con afectación directa y generalizada en órganos y tejidos (4). Desde el punto de vista médico legal, la asfixia puede ser resultado de varios eventos, que incluyen el ahorcamiento, estrangulamiento, inmersión y la obstrucción de la vía aérea por un cuerpo extraño (5). En este sentido, la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) reporta un aproximado de 5 millones de personas que fallecen anualmente de forma violenta, a nivel global.…”