DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2017.v05i02.011

Pages: 99-104

Choking is a form of asphyxia caused by obstruction within the airways, usually between the pharynx and bifurcation of trachea. The individual develops hoarseness, respiratory difficulty and then suddenly collapses. It is commonly associated with alcohol intoxication, neurological injury or senility. It is usually accidental. Homicidal choking is very rare and is practicable only when the victim is suffering from disability or disease. We encountered a case of choking in a 6 years old male child, who was missing under mysterious circumstances for last 2 days. His dead body was found in the heap of straw at the back of his house. The dead body was in early stage of putrefaction and it was referred from General Hospital to Department of Forensic Medicine, PGIMS, Rohtak, for postmortem. On postmortem examination multiple contusions were noticed over the scalp along with injuries over other parts of the body. Multiple pieces of straws were present in larynx and trachea up to carina and in the right bronchus. The pieces of straws were also present in esophagus and stomach. The cause of death was opined as asphyxia due to choking coupled with head injury.