Citation

Domènech MS, Alcázar HM, Pallarès AA, Vicente IG, García JC, Gutiérrez CV, Muñiz JM. Forensic Sci. Int. 2012; 220(1-3): e1-4.

Affiliation

Servei de Patologia Forense Zona Sud - Barcelona, Institut de Medicina Legal de Catalunya, Ciutat de la Justícia, Edifici G, 5ª Planta, Gran Via 111, Barcelona 08014, Spain.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.01.031

PMID

22361389

Abstract

This paper presents the first referenced case on a death by traumatic asphyxia in a folding bunk bed. A middle-aged man was found dead in a hotel room trapped into a lower folding bunk bed where he had been sleeping after a party. The autopsy showed signs of asphyxia and excluded signs of struggle and sexual intercourse. Toxicological analyses revealed alcohol intoxication. A differential diagnosis of the manner of death including a technical study of the bed which contributed to understand the circumstances of death was made. The medico-legal investigation of the case strongly supported the hypothesis of an accidental death by traumatic asphyxia.

Language: en