Korean J Leg Med.  2013 May;37(2):90-92. 10.7580/kjlm.2013.37.2.90.

Death by Homicidal Smothering Using Hot Steam Towel: A Case Report

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
  • 2Division of Forensic Medicine, Southern District Office, National Forensic Service, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam, Korea. sanchee@korea.kr
  • 3Busan Metropolitan Police Agency, Busan, Korea.

Abstract

An unusual case of homicide of a 21-year-old man who was smothered with a hot steam towel by his mother and a pastoress in the name of exorcism. Homicidal smothering in adults is rare, but does occur when the victims are not capable of defending themselves in situations such as chronic illness, old age, drug intoxication or when restrained by other people. In this case, distinct facial scalding was a clue to smothering with a hot steam towel.

Keyword

Smothering; Homicide; Exorcism; Towel; Adult

MeSH Terms

Adult
Chronic Disease
Homicide
Humans
Mothers
Steam
Steam

Figure

  • Fig. 1. Scalding injuries with a few abrasions on the forehead of the deceased's face.

  • Fig. 2. A few petechiae, and mucosal injuries in the buccal region of the deceased.

  • Fig. 3. Mucosal edema in the pharynx of the deceased.


Reference

1. DiMaio VJ, DiMaio D. Forensic pathology. 2nd ed.Boca Raton: CRC press;2001. p. 231–4.
2. Haddix TL, Harruff RC, Reay DT, et al. Asphyxial suicides using plastic bags. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 1996; 17:308–11.
Article
3. Bullock MJ, Diniz D. Suffocation using plastic bags: a retrospective study of suicides in Ontario, Canada. J Forensic Sci. 2000; 45:608–13.
Article
4. Schmeling A, Fracasso T, Pragst F, et al. Unassisted smothering in a pillow. Int J Legal Med. 2009; 123:517–9.
Article
5. Di Vella G, Neri M, Belviso M. Unusual suicidal smothering by means of multiple loops of adhesive gummed tape. J Forensic Sci. 2002; 47:645–7.
Article
6. Saint-Martin P, Lefrancq T, Sauvageau A. Homicidal smothering on toilet paper: a case report. J Forensic Leg Med. 2012; 19:234–5.
Article
7. Madea B, Musshoff F. Homicidal poisoning with halothane. Int J Legal Med. 1999; 113:47–9.
Article
8. Boghossian E, Tambuscio S, Sauvageau A. Nonchemical suffocation deaths in forensic setting: a 6-year retrospective study of environmental suffocation, smothering, choking, and traumatic/positional asphyxia. J Forensic Sci. 2010; 55:646–51.
Article
9. Banaschak S, Schmidt P, Madea B. Smothering of children older than 1 year of age-diagnostic significance of morphological findings. Forensic Sci Int. 2003; 134:163–8.
Article
10. Schyma C, Madea B. Comments on unassisted smothering in a pillow. Int J Legal Med. 2011; 125:155–6.
Article
Full Text Links
  • KJLM
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr