[MinervaXXIV]

The term “positional” (or “postural”) asphyxia refers to a situation in which an enforced and abnormal adoption of the posture of the body for an extended time interferes mechanically with the pulmonary ventilation, causing a state of impaired oxygenation. Fatalities from this type of asphyxia are rare, but a careful diagnostic approach to these cases is needed. Several postures are reported in the literature, such as hyper-flexed head, head-down position, hogtie position due to restraint, jack-knife position, and reverse jack-knife position. A case of postural asphyxiation due to jack-knife position is presented here.

Case Report:
A 73-year-old Caucasian female with no history of severe organic illness was found on the floor, wedged into the space between the legs and seat of a chair (Fig. 1A and B) by her son.


Fig. 1A


Fig. 1B

The torso was hyperflexed in a jack-knife position. The man tried unsuccessfully to free his mother and then he alerted medical assistance. Rescuers took pictures of the scene (Fig. 1A and B) before breaking the chair to extricate the woman and providing unsuccessful resuscitation.

At postmortem examination, the face, the anterior aspect of the neck and of the upper thorax were bluish and swollen. Conjunctival petechiae were present. Fixed hypostasis (accumulation of blood) involved the lower back and forearms. Several abrasions and ecchymoses (bruises) were observed: a transverse linear abrasion on the central middle back; a transverse bruise mark on the posterior surface of the upper right thigh; a transverse abrasion mark on the posterior surface of both thighs at the same level and distal to the previously described lesion (Fig. 2); various oval ecchymoses on both upper limbs (Fig. 3A, B and C).


Fig. 2, transverse abrasion on posterior thighs


Fig. 3A, B and C, bruises on upper limbs

The cause of death was determined as postural asphyxia due to enforced and prolonged jack-knife position.

In this case the role of the rescuers was fundamental, since they took pictures as they entered the scene, witnessing the abnormal posture of the victim. The only findings compatible with an aggression were some ecchymoses on the forearms, but they corresponded to the attempts to extricate the woman from the chair by her son.

Autopsy excluded other organic causes of death. It was thus assumed that the women attempted to sit on the chair, but she slipped, and her body was dragged down into a jack-knife position wedged into the space between the legs and the seat of a chair.

Original photos in case anyone is interested. I can’t colorize for shit. Don’t judge me.

[LittleNightmare]

It seems impossible for her to end up under the chair like that...

[gevatano]

Yeah. I sat here reading the final verdict on what they think has happened, but I just cannot for the life of me visualize anything like that. :/

[Tracy210t]

She went to sit down, missed the chair, caught the edge and the chair flipped on top of her and pinned her. At her age she probably died pretty quick and severely panicked. Sad to live that long and a f'kn chair takes you out.

Great post.

[Sa Bal]

How the fuck?? Man I wish there was video of this

[Craphead]

[jjclarke1]

If she missed the chair how the fuck does it come down oh her with such force to pin her down? i can only assume the chair is fucking haunted......BURN IT!!!!

[William May]

Looks like she wound up getting the "Chair". Just like some relatives of mine, but different.

[Karma]

Originally Posted by William May ↗

Looks like she wound up getting the "Chair". Just like some relatives of mine, but different.

[Budd Dwyer]

There is no way to die like this...
I call murder