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Facial congestion and mild cyanosis of
Discussion
the lips were noted, with hypoxia. Liver
This case exemplifies an accidental, mortis(discoloration of skin)

non-traumatic form of asphyxial
death where posture alone can be Internal examination: the respiratory

lethal. Positional asphyxia is more system, lungs were mildly congested with
likely to occur when the victim is noted hemorrhages.
intoxicated, sedated, or physically

restrained, as these conditions impair Mild cerebral congestion. No fractures
mobility and self-correction. were seen, and internal injuries suggested

physical assault.
In this instance, the absence of

external injuries could have easily led TOXICOLOGICAL RESULTS
to misinterpretation of the cause of The toxicology report shows a significant

death if the body position at the scene level of alcohol in the blood, confirming
had not been carefully documented. acute alcohol intoxication at the time of
Alcohol likely played a dual role by death.

inducing sedation and muscular
relaxation, and by impairing CAUSE OF DEATH

judgment, making it less likely for the Positional asphyxia- death resulted from
victim to change his position when restriction of breathing due to the body’s

breathing became compromised. position, compounded by alcohol
intoxication.

References

Chmieliauskas, S., Mundinas, E., Fomin,

D., Andriuskeviciute, G., Laima, S.,
Jurolaic, E., Stasiuniene, J., & Jasulaitis,

A. (2018). Sudden deaths from positional
asphyxia. Medicine, 97(24), e11041.
https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000011

041
Wikipedia contributors. (2025, July 18).

Positional asphyxia. Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positional_as

phyxia