Citation

Mahlke NS, Ritz-Timme S, Hartung B. Forensic Sci. Int. Rep. 2023; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.fsir.2023.100341

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A case of accidental fatal drowning after non-lethal strangulation by a cable is presented. Random circumstances, which are highlighted here, led to the fact that signs of strangulation and rape were either superimposed or left almost no traces. The autopsy did not reveal typical signs of drowning, strangulation or other violence and the cause of death initially remained unclear. Histological examinations showed an acute emphysema and marked blood congestion. Swabs were i.a. taken from the genital area and molecular genetic analyses of the contact persons were performed, which pointed to a craftsman. The crime was finally confessed by this craftsman. Obviously, the victim drowned unnoticed by the perpetrator when he tried to clean her from moleculargenetic traces.

Language: en

Keywords

Acute emphysema; Crime scene cleaning; Rape; Strangulation with electric cable