The forensic approach to plastic bag suffocation: Case reports and review of the literature

Med Leg J. 2019 Dec;87(4):214-220. doi: 10.1177/0025817219861277. Epub 2019 Sep 28.

Abstract

Death from plastic bag suffocation is unusual and rare in under-developed countries. Initially, deaths were accidental mostly of children but with time homicides, suicides and deaths in auto-erotic situations were noted. It is not always possible to discover the dynamics leading to the death especially when suicide is suspected. Often, the typical signs of asphyxia - petechial haemorrhages, facial congestion, oedema and cyanosis - are not there. The authors present two cases of plastic bag suffocation, where a multi-disciplinary approach was applied. This study reviews international literature on plastic bag suffocation, analysing the frequency of suicides, homicides and accidental deaths associated with plastic suffocation.

Keywords: HIF-1 alpha; Plastic bag suffocation; SP-A; asphyxia; crime scene investigation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Asphyxia / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plastics / adverse effects
  • Suicide*

Substances

  • Plastics