Strangling

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A cheetah strangling an impala, Timbavati Game Reserve, South Africa Cheetah with impala.jpg
A cheetah strangling an impala, Timbavati Game Reserve, South Africa

Strangling or strangulation is compression of the neck that may lead to unconsciousness or death by causing an increasingly hypoxic state in the brain by restricting the flow of oxygen through the trachea. [1] Fatal strangulation typically occurs in cases of violence, accidents, and is one of two main ways that hanging causes death (alongside breaking the victim's neck).

Contents

Strangling does not have to be fatal; limited or interrupted strangling is practised in erotic asphyxia, in the choking game, and is an important technique in many combat sports and self-defense systems. Strangling can be divided into three general types according to the mechanism used: [2]

General

The neck contains several vulnerable targets for compression including the carotid arteries. Gray513.png
The neck contains several vulnerable targets for compression including the carotid arteries.

Strangling involves one or several mechanisms that interfere with the normal flow of oxygen into the brain: [3] [4]

Depending on the particular method of strangulation, one or several of these typically occur in combination; vascular obstruction is usually the main mechanism. [5] Complete obstruction of blood flow to the brain is associated with irreversible neurological damage and death, [6] but during strangulation there is still unimpeded blood flow in the vertebral arteries. [7] Estimates have been made that significant occlusion of the carotid arteries and jugular veins occurs with a pressure of around 3.4 N/cm2 (4.9 psi), while the trachea demands six times more at approximately 22 N/cm2 (32 psi). [8]

As in all cases of strangulation, the rapidity of death can be affected by the susceptibility to carotid sinus stimulation. [5] Carotid sinus reflex death is sometimes considered a mechanism of death in cases of strangulation, but it remains highly disputed. [3] [9] The reported time from application to unconsciousness varies from 7–14 seconds if effectively applied [10] to one minute in other cases, with death occurring minutes after unconsciousness. [3]

Manual strangulation

Manual strangulation (also known as "throttling") is strangling with the hands, fingers, or other extremities and sometimes also with blunt objects, such as batons. Depending on how the strangling is performed, it may compress the airway, interfere with the flow of blood in the neck, or work as a combination of the two. Consequently, manual strangulation may damage the larynx [3] and fracture the hyoid or other bones in the neck. [5] In cases of airway compression, manual strangling leads to the frightening sensation of air hunger and may induce violent struggling. [3]

Manual strangulation is common in situations of domestic violence, [11] and is regarded by experts as an especially severe form of domestic violence, due to its extremely frightening and potentially lethal nature, and an observed correlation between non-fatal strangulation in domestic violence and future homicide. [12]

Manual strangulation also has a history as a form of capital punishment, during the 18th century, a sentence of "Death by Throttling" would be passed upon the verdict of a Court Martial for the crime of desertion from the British Army. [13]

More technical variants of manual strangulation are referred to as strangleholds, [14] or chokeholds (despite the term "choke" more technically referring to internal airway restriction), and are extensively practised and used in various martial arts, combat sports, self-defense systems, and in military hand-to-hand combat application. In some martial arts like judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and jujutsu, when applied correctly and released promptly after loss of consciousness, strangleholds that constrict blood flow are regarded as a safer [15] means to render an opponent unconscious, when compared to other methods, especially strikes to the head, the latter of which can cause potentially catastrophic or fatal and irreversible brain injuries much more quickly and unpredictably. [16]

Ligature strangulation

Illustration depicting the ligature strangulation of Saint Godelieve Strangulation of Godelieve.jpg
Illustration depicting the ligature strangulation of Saint Godelieve

Ligature strangulation or garroting is strangling with some form of cord such as rope, wire, chain, or shoelaces (a garrote) either partially or fully circumferencing the neck. [17] Even though the mechanism of strangulation is similar, it is usually distinguished from hanging by the strangling force being something other than the person's own body weight. [5] Incomplete occlusion of the carotid arteries is expected and, in cases of homicide, the victim may struggle for a period of time, [5] with unconsciousness typically occurring in 10 to 15 seconds. [17] Cases of ligature strangulation generally involve homicides of women, children, and the elderly. [5] Compared to hanging, the ligature mark will most likely be located lower on the neck of the victim.

During the Spanish Inquisition, victims who admitted their alleged sins and recanted were killed via ligature strangulation (i.e. the garrote) before their bodies were burnt during the auto-da-fé . [18] Throughout much of the 20th and 21st centuries, the American Mafia used ligature strangulation as a means of murdering their victims. Confessed American serial killer Altemio Sanchez used ligature strangulation in the rapes and/or murders of his victims, as did Gary Ridgway (the Green River Killer) and British serial killer Dennis Nilsen. [19]

Incaprettamento is a method of strangulation in which the victims neck is tied to their legs bent behind their back (similar to hogtie), so that the victim effectively strangle themselves. This method was common throughout Neolithic Europe, and occurred for over two thousands years in northern and southern Europe, as evidenced by skeleton remains. It's uncertain why it was so common, but researchers speculate a person bound in this way might be considered to have strangled themselves, versus being killed by someone else. Victims may have been part of a ritual sacrifice. Rock art in Addaura Cave, in Sicily, made between 16,000 and 13,000 BP, depict two human figures bound in the incaprettamento manner. Today, it is a method of homicide mostly associated with the Italian Mafia, who have used it as a ritual warning or reprimand. [20] [21] [22]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asphyxia</span> Severely deficient supply of oxygen

Asphyxia or asphyxiation is a condition of deficient supply of oxygen to the body which arises from abnormal breathing. Asphyxia causes generalized hypoxia, which affects all the tissues and organs, some more rapidly than others. There are many circumstances that can induce asphyxia, all of which are characterized by the inability of a person to acquire sufficient oxygen through breathing for an extended period of time. Asphyxia can cause coma or death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hanging</span> Death by suspension around the neck

Hanging is killing a person by suspending them from the neck with a noose or ligature. Hanging has been a common method of capital punishment since the Middle Ages, and has been the primary execution method in numerous countries and regions. The first known account of execution by hanging is in Homer's Odyssey. Hanging is also a method of suicide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Choking</span> Mechanical obstruction of the flow of air from the environment into the lungs

Choking, also known as foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO), is a phenomenon that occurs when breathing is impeded by a blockage inside of the respiratory tract. An obstruction that prevents oxygen from entering the lungs results in oxygen deprivation. Although oxygen stored in the blood and lungs can keep a person alive for several minutes after breathing stops, choking often leads to death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brachiocephalic artery</span> Artery of the mediastinum

The brachiocephalic artery, brachiocephalic trunk, or innominate artery is an artery of the mediastinum that supplies blood to the right arm, head, and neck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garrote</span> Execution method

A garrote or garrote vil is a weapon and a method of capital punishment. It consists of a handheld ligature of chain, rope, scarf, wire or fishing line, used to strangle a person.

Erotic asphyxiation is the intentional restriction of oxygen to the brain for the purposes of sexual arousal. With a partner, the act often involves strangulation. The term autoerotic asphyxiation is used when the act is done by a person to themself. Colloquially, a person engaging in the activity is sometimes called a gasper. Erotic asphyxiation can lead to accidental death due to asphyxia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carotid sinus</span> Dilated area near internal carotid artery above bifurcation

In human anatomy, the carotid sinus is a dilated area at the base of the internal carotid artery just superior to the bifurcation of the internal carotid and external carotid at the level of the superior border of thyroid cartilage. The carotid sinus extends from the bifurcation to the "true" internal carotid artery. The carotid sinus is sensitive to pressure changes in the arterial blood at this level. It is the major baroreception site in humans and most mammals.

Kappo are healing techniques that often involve stimulation of specific acupuncture points. Kappo is commonly used in martial arts such as Danzan Ryu and Judo. Kappo contains two kanji: katsu and ho.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chokehold</span> Submission hold that reduces air or blood flow

A chokehold, choke, stranglehold or, in Judo, shime-waza is a general term for a grappling hold that critically reduces or prevents either air (choking) or blood (strangling) from passing through the neck of an opponent. The restriction may be of one or both and depends on the hold used and the reaction of the victim. While the time it takes for the choke to render an opponent unconscious varies depending on the type of choke, the average across all has been recorded as 9 seconds.

The choking game, or fainting game is the act of intentionally cutting off oxygen to the brain with the goal of inducing temporary loss of consciousness and euphoria. A related internet challenge, the blackout challenge, encourages the use of the choking game online.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rear naked choke</span> Martial arts technique

The rear naked choke (RNC), also known as "hadaka jime" in Judo and "lion killer choke " in BJJ, is a chokehold in martial arts applied from an opponent's back. The word naked in this context suggests that, unlike other strangulation techniques found in jujutsu/judo, this hold does not require the use of a keikogi ("gi") or training uniform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common carotid artery</span> One of the two arteries that supply the head and neck with blood

In anatomy, the left and right common carotid arteries (carotids) are arteries that supply the head and neck with oxygenated blood; they divide in the neck to form the external and internal carotid arteries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guillotine choke</span> Martial arts technique

The guillotine choke, also known as Mae Hadaka Jime in judo, is a chokehold in martial arts applied from in front of the opponent, often on the ground but can also be done while standing. The choke involves using the arms to encircle the opponent's neck that bears a resemblance to the blade of a guillotine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carotid-cavernous fistula</span> Medical condition

A carotid-cavernous fistula results from an abnormal communication between the arterial and venous systems within the cavernous sinus in the skull. It is a type of arteriovenous fistula. As arterial blood under high pressure enters the cavernous sinus, the normal venous return to the cavernous sinus is impeded and this causes engorgement of the draining veins, manifesting most dramatically as a sudden engorgement and redness of the eye of the same side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grappling hold</span> Martial arts technique

A grappling hold, commonly referred to simply as a hold that in Japanese is referred to as katame-waza, is any specific grappling, wrestling, judo, or other martial art grip that is applied to an opponent. Grappling holds are used principally to control the opponent and to advance in points or positioning. The holds may be categorized by their function, such as clinching, pinning, or submission, while others can be classified by their anatomical effect: chokehold, headlock, joint-lock, or compression lock. Multiple categories may be appropriate for some of these holds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carotid artery dissection</span> Human disease


Carotid artery dissection is a serious condition in which a tear forms in one of the two main carotid arteries in the neck, allowing blood to enter the artery wall and separate its layers (*dissection*). This separation can lead to the formation of a blood clot, narrowing of the artery, and restricted blood flow to the brain, potentially resulting in stroke. Symptoms vary depending on the extent and location of the dissection and may include a sudden, severe headache, neck or facial pain, vision changes, a drooping eyelid, and stroke-like symptoms such as weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, or loss of coordination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nami juji jime</span> Judo technique

Nami Jūji-jime (並十字絞) is one of the twelve constriction techniques of Kodokan Judo in the Shime-waza list. Also known as Namijujijime, Danzan Ryu includes this technique in the Shimete list under the name Gyakujujijime.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kata juji jime</span> Judo technique

Kata Jūji-jime (片十字絞) is a chokehold in judo. It is one of the twelve constriction techniques of Kodokan Judo in the

A choke-out is a hand-to-hand combat tactic involving the use of a chokehold to cause syncope, or temporary loss of consciousness, at which point the choke is released. Common chokeholds in grappling used to accomplish a choke-out include the rear naked choke, arm triangle, triangle choke, and the guillotine.

Strangulation in the context of domestic violence is a potentially lethal form of assault. Unconsciousness may occur within seconds of strangulation and death within minutes. Strangulation can be difficult to detect and until recently was often not treated as a serious crime. However, in many jurisdictions, strangulation is now a specific criminal offense, or an aggravating factor in assault cases.

References

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