Citation

Redpath M, Sauvageau A. Am. J. Forensic Med. Pathol. 2011; 32(2): 190-192.

Affiliation

Laboratoire de sciences judiciaires et de medicine légale, 1701 Parthenais street, Montreal (Quebec), Canada; and Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Edmonton (Alberta) Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/PAF.0b013e3181d3dbef

PMID

20190629

Abstract

Smothering is defined as an obstruction of the air passages above the level of the epiglottis, including the nose, mouth, and pharynx. This is in contrast to choking, which is considered to be due to an obstruction of the air passages below the epiglottis. The manner of death in smothering can be homicidal, suicidal, or an accident. Accidental smothering is considered to be a rare event among middle-aged adults, yet many cases still occur. Presented here is the case of a 39-year-old woman with a history of bipolar disease who was found dead in her living room floor by her neighbors. Her hands were covered in scratches and her pet cat was found disemboweled in the kitchen with its tail hacked off. On autopsy her stomach was found to be full of cat intestines, adipose tissue, and strips of fur-covered skin. An intact left kidney and adipose tissue were found lodged in her throat just above her epiglottis. After a complete investigation, the cause of death was determined to be asphyxia by smothering due to animal tissue.

Language: en