NCJ Number
174711
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 43 Issue: 4 Dated: July 1998 Pages: 784-791
Date Published
1998
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The author conducted studies to demonstrate the usual method of laryngeal dissection carried a significant risk of overlooking important laryngeal injuries.
Abstract
Formalin-fixed hyoid-larynx complexes were prepared in a prospective forensic study involving 191 cases of homicidal strangulation between 1984 and 1997. Basic steps of the applied method included complete resection of thyroid cartilage, horizontal incision through the cricoid cartilage before opening the larynx dorsally, inspection of laryngeal joints, and incisions of laryngeal muscles. Using this procedure allowed the author to detect the following injuries that otherwise would have been destroyed or overlooked: 17 incomplete fractures restricted to dorsal surfaces of the thyroid laminae and 10 incomplete or nondislocated fractures of the cricoid cartilage. In seven cases, a "hidden" fracture was the only laryngeal injury resulting from neck compression. Extensive laryngeal muscle hemorrhages, especially of the vocal folds, were found in almost half the cases, more rarely in strangulation cases by ligature and more frequently in manual strangulation cases. Gross hemorrhages were the decisive local laryngeal finding in 19 cases. Laryngeal joint injuries (bleeding) were found in 18 to 52 percent of the different strangulation cases. Hemorrhages of the laryngeal mucosa were common findings in about 60 percent of all cases. The author concludes the quantity and significance of findings obtained from complete preparation clearly document Camp's demand made in 1976 to dispense with the usual laryngeal dissection technique (dorsal scissor incision through the cricoid cartilage), at least in questionable strangulation cases. 28 references, 8 tables, and 6 figures