NCJ Number
225906
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 54 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2009 Pages: 192-194
Date Published
January 2009
Length
3 pages
Annotation
In order to examine the sequence of events leading to death in human asphyxia, four filmed hangings were analyzed.
Abstract
Loss of consciousness was noted between 13 and 18 seconds, confirming observations of rapid loss of consciousness found in other studies of asphyxia by hanging. The study observed convulsions at 14-19 seconds, following loss of consciousness. This was also found in previous studies. The subsequent observed sequences of body and respiratory movements in the current study are not clearly described in the literature. The current study reports a complex pattern of decerebration rigidity (19-21 sec in most cases and 46 sec in one case); a quick phase of decortication rigidity (1 min.-1 min 8 sec in most cases and 1 min 21 sec in one case); an extended phase of decortication rigidity (1 min 4 sec to 1 min 8 sec in most cases and 1 min 21 sec in one case); and loss of muscle tone (1 min 38 sec to 2 min 47 sec). Decerebration rigidity indicates lesions at mid-brain level; whereas, decortication rigidity suggests a cerebral cortex impairment. There is no clear explanation as to why decerebration rigidity (mid-brain level impairment) preceded decortication rigidity (cerebral cortex impairment) in two cases out of three. Subsequent to the complex pattern of decerebration-decortication rigidity and loss of muscle tone, isolated muscle movements were detected from time to time, with the last one occurring between 2 min 15 sec and 4 min 10 sec. The onset of very deep respiratory attempts started between 20 sec and 22 sec, with the last respiratory attempt being detected between 2 min and 2 min 4 sec. 3 figures and 5 references