Citation

Davison AM, Williams EJ. Forensic Sci. Med. Pathol. 2012; 8(3): 307-311.

Affiliation

Wales Institute of Forensic Medicine, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK, davisonam@cardiff.ac.uk.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s12024-012-9316-3

PMID

22350822

Abstract

Post-mortem examination of a female homicide victim suggested a fracture of the larynx and increased flexibility, without associated hemorrhage, of the hyoid bone. There was a history of domestic violence, which included an allegation of attempted strangulation. Microscopy confirmed a recent fracture of the larynx and showed evidence of a healing fracture in the hyoid bone. Death was due to multiple blunt force trauma, including pressure to the neck. The deceased's partner admitted strangulation and was convicted of murder. The discussion concentrates on causation of laryngo-hyoid fractures and the potential usefulness of microscopy, particularly identifying evidence of previous trauma.

Language: en