CHAPTER 17

DEATH BY ASPHYXIA

Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. The general term applied to all forms of violent death which results primarily from
the interference with the process of respiration or the condition in which the supply
of oxygen to the blood or to the tissues or both has been reduced below normal
level.
a. Severe hemorrhage
b. Anoxia death
c. Asphyxia
d. Respiration de surprise
Answer: C is the correct answer, asphyxia refers to the general term applied to all
forms of violent death which results primarily from the interference with the
process of respiration or the condition in which the supply of oxygen to the blood
or to the tissues or both has been reduced below normal level while A, refers to a
condition of anoxic death and D, refers to a panic of respiration depth and the
respiration cycle curve.
2. It is a type of asphyxial death which is associated with the failure of the arterial
blood to become normally saturated with oxygen.
a. Stagnant anoxic death
b. Histotoxic anoxic death
c. Anemic anoxic death
d. Anoxic death
Answer: D is the correct answer, anoxic death is a type of asphyxial death which
is associated with the failure of the arterial blood to become normally saturated
with oxygen while A, refers to the failure of circulation due to shock and B, refers
to the failure of the circulation of the cellular oxidatives. While C, is due to a
decreased capacity of the blood to carry oxygen.
3. Anoxic death may be due to mechanical interference with the passage of air into
or down the respiratory tract which results to:
a. Closure of the external respiratory orifice, like in the smothering and overlaying.
b. Poisoning
c. Shock
d. Hemorrhage
Answer: A is the correct answer, anoxic death results to the closure of the external
respiratory orifice, like in the smothering and overlaying while B, C, and D are
conditions due to Anemic anoxic death.
4. This is due to the failure of the cellular oxidative process, although the oxygen is
delivered to the tissues, it cannot be utilized properly.
a. Anoxic death
b. Histotoxic anoxic death
c. Anemic anoxic death
 d. None of the above
Answer: B is the correct answer, Histotoxic death is due to the failure of the cellular
oxidative process while B, is the failure of the arterial blood to become normally
saturated with oxygen and C refers to a decreased capacity of the blood to carry
oxygen.
5. What are the common agents responsible for the histotoxic anoxic death?
a. Cyanide & alcohol
b. Heat failure
c. Poisoning
d. None of the above
Answer: A is the correct answer, cyanide and alcohol are the common agents
responsible for the histotoxic anoxic death while B, is a condition due to stagnant
anoxic death and C is a condition due to anemic anoxic death.
6. This is due to a decreased capacity of the blood to carry oxygen.
a. Anemic anoxic death
b. Stagnant anoxic death
c. Histotoxic anoxic death
d. Anoxic death
Answer: A is the correct answer, anoxic death refers to a decreased capacity of
the blood to carry oxygen while B, is the failure of circulation due to heart failure
and C is due to the failure of the circulation of the cellular oxidatives. D is the
failure of the arterial blood to become normally saturated with oxygen.
7. The following are special forms of strangulation, except.
a. Palmar strangulation
b. Mugging or yoking
c. Garrotting
d. Hanging
Answer: D is the correct answer, hanging is not a special form of strangulation but
one of the classifications of asphyxia while A, B, and C are special forms of
strangulation.
8. A phase of asphyxial death which is due to the paralysis of the respiratory center
of the brain.
a. Dyspenic
b. Convulsive
c. Apneic
d. Anoxic
Answer: C is the correct answer, Apneic is a phase of asphyxial death which is due
to the paralysis of the respiratory center of the brain while A, is a symptom due to
lack of oxygen and retention of carbon dioxide in the body tissue and B refers to
the simulation of the central nervous system by carbon dioxide. D is a type of
asphyxial death.
9. It is usually caused by the hemorrhage produced by the rupture of the capillaries
on account of the increase of intra-capillary pressure.
a. Apnea
 b. Vascular spasm
c. Tardieu spots
d. None of the above
Answer: C is the correct answer, tardieu spots is caused by the hemorrhage
produced by the rupture of the capillaries on account of the increase of intra-
capillary pressure while A, is a temporary cessation of breathing and B is caused
by the blood vessels to suddenly tighten.
10. Smothering or closing of the mouth and nostrils by solid objects.
a. Suffocation
b. Asphyxia by submersion or drowning
c. Asphyxia by irrespirable gases
d. Strangulations
Answer: A is the correct answer, suffocation is due to smothering or closing of the
mouth and nostrils by solid objects while B, is a form of asphyxia wherein the
nostrils and mouth has been submerged in any watery, viscid or pultaceous fluid
for a time to prevent the free entrance of air into the air passage and lungs and C
is an accidental and suicidal death by carbon monoxide such as poisoning while D,
is produced by compression of the neck by means of a ligature which is tightened
by a force other than the weight of the body.
11. Form of asphyxial death whereby the constricting force applied in the neck is the
hand.
a. Ante mortem
b. Smothering
c. Throttling
d. Drowning
Answer: C is the correct answer, throttling is a form of asphyxial death whereby
the constricting force applied in the neck is the hand while A, is an examination
made before death of the victim while B, is a form of asphyxial death caused by
the closing of the external respiratory orifices and D is a form of asphyxia wherein
the nostrils and mouth has been submerged in any watery, viscid or pultaceous
fluid for a time to prevent the free entrance of air into the air passage and lungs.
12. The application of materials, usually handkerchief, linen or other clothing matters
to prevent air to have access through mouth or nostrils. The pressure might be so
severe that it may cause injury to the buccal mucosa and teeth. It is homicidal.
a. Accidental smothering of epileptic
b. Plastic bag suffocation
c. Gagging
d. Overlaying
Answer: C is the correct answer, gagging is the application of materials, usually
handkerchief, linen or other clothing matters to prevent air to have access through
mouth or nostrils and it is usually used by robbers while A, B, and D are types of
suffocation.
13. The following are classified as asphyxia, except.
a. Asphyxia by submersion
 b. Asphyxia by irrespirable gases
c. Asphyxia by pressure on the chest
d. Lynching
Answer: D is the correct answer, lynching is not classified as asphyxia, it is rather
a premeditated extrajudicial killing by a group while A, B, and C are all classified
as asphyxia.
14. In this case the marks are not continuous and removed on stretching the skin of
the neck.
a. Fold markings on the neck of an obese individual
b. Marks of tight neckwear
c. Neck elongated and stretched with the head inclined on the side opposite the
knot or noose.
d. None of the above
Answer: D is the correct answer, all those mentioned above are post-mortem
findings in by hanging while, the question refers to the mechanism of death by
strangulation.
15. The average time required for death in drowning is.
a. 1 – ½ mins
b. 1 min
c. 1 hour
d. 2-5 mins
Answer: A is the correct answer, 1-1/2 mins is the average time required for death
in drowning but a person may survive even after 4 minutes of submersion. The
average time required for death in drowning is 2 to 5 minutes.
16. This is due to simulation of the central nervous system by carbon dioxide. The
cyanosis becomes staring and pupils are dilated.
a. Apneic
b. Dyspneic
c. Convulsive
d. Asphyxia
Answer: C is the correct answer, convulsive is due to simulation of the central
nervous system by carbon dioxide. The cyanosis becomes staring and pupils are
dilated while A, is due to the paralysis of the respiratory center of the brain. The
breathing shallow and gasping and the rate becomes slower till death and B is due
to lack of oxygen and retention of carbon dioxide in the body tissue. Breathing
becomes rapid and deep, pulse rate increase and rise of blood pressure. While D,
is the general term applied to all forms of violent death which results primarily
from the interference with the process of respiration or the condition in which the
supply of oxygen to the blood or to the tissues or both has been reduced below
normal level.
17. Is a form of violent death brought about by the suspension of the body by a
ligature which encircles the neck and the constricting force is the weight of the
body.
a. Hanging
 b. Suffocation
c. Drowning
d. Garroting
Answer: A is the correct answer, hanging is a form of violent death brought about
by the suspension of the body by a ligature which encircles the neck and the
constricting force is the weight of the body while B, is the state of dying from being
deprived of air and C is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from
submersion/immersion in liquid while D, is usually a handheld ligature.
18. Qualitative tests for carbon monoxide in the blood, except.
a. Kunkel’s test
b. Aquosum
c. Gas chromatograph
d. Infra-red analysis
Answer: B is the correct answer, aquosum is not a type of qualitative tests for
carbon monoxide in the blood, it is rather a state where the victim is unconscious
at the time of drowning while A, C, and D are all types of qualitative tests for
carbon monoxide in the blood.
19. One of the most toxic and rapid acting gases:
a. Hydrogen cyanide
b. Sulphur dioxide
c. Phosgene
d. Tear gas
Answer: A is the correct answer, hydrogen cyanide is one of the most toxic and
rapid acting gases while B, C, and D are types of war gases.
20. The following findings show that hanging is ante-mortem, except.
a. Marks of tight neckwear
b. Redness or ecchymosis at the site of ligature
c. Ecchymosis of the pharynx and epiglottis
d. None of the above
Answer: A is the correct answer, marks of tight neckwear is a post-mortem finding
in death by ligature in hanging while B and C, are both findings in ante-mortem
examination.
21. What is the material commonly used as ligature?
a. Electric Wires
b. Beddings
c. Belts
d. Rope
Answer: D is the correct answer, rope is the most common material used as
ligature in hanging while A, B, and C are also materials used as ligature in hanging
but not as common as the rope.
22. A condition which may be due to Severe hemorrhage, poisoning or low
hemoglobin level in the blood
a. Anemic Anoxic Death
b. Anoxic Death
 c. Stagnant Anoxic Death
d. Histotoxic Anoxic Death
Answer: A is the correct answer, anemic anoxic death is a condition which may
be due to severe hemorrhage, poisoning or low hemoglobin level in the blood while
B, is due to poisoning, injury or anesthesia and C is due to heart failure and shock.
D is due to the failure of the circulation of the cellular oxidatives process.
23. This is brought about by the failure of circulation
a. Anemic Anoxic Death
b. Anoxic Death
c. Stagnant Anoxic Death
d. Histotoxic Anoxic Death
Answer: C is the correct answer, stagnant anoxic death is brought about by the
failure of circulation while A, is due to a decreased capacity of the blood to carry
oxygen and B is associated with the failure of the arterial blood to become normally
saturated with oxygen. D is due to the failure of the circulation of the cellular
oxidatives process.
24. ____________ is/are common agents responsible for histotoxic anoxic death.
a. Cyanide and alcohol
b. Cyanide
c. Alcohol
d. All of the above
Answer: All of those mentioned above are common agents responsible for
histotoxic anoxic death.
25. _______________ is where the eyes become staring and more pronounced
and the pupils are dilated.
a. Cyanosis
b. Pupil dilation
c. Gasping of breath
d. None on the above
Answer: B is the correct answer, pupil dilation is where the eyes becomes more
pronounced and the pupils are dilated while A, is when there is a bluish
discoloration to your hands or feet, usually caused by low oxygen levels in the red
blood cells and C is an abnormal pattern of breathing or agonal respiration.
26. One of the symptom of ligature in hanging.
a. Gradual loss of sensibilities
b. Sensation of constriction of the neck
c. Loss of consciousness and muscular power
d. All of the above
Answer: All of those mentioned above are the symptoms of ligature in hanging.
27. Which phase of Asphyxial Death causes lack of oxygen and the retention of
carbon dioxide in the body tissue?
a. Shock
b. Heart Failure
c. Vein obstruction
 d. Dyspneic
Answer: D is the correct answer, dyspneic is a phase of asphyxial death causes
lack of oxygen and the retention of carbon dioxide in the body tissue while A, B,
and C are all conditions of stagnant anoxic death.
28. Accidental and suicidal death by _________________ poisoning is common.
a. Carbon monoxide
b. Hydrogen sulphide
c. Hydrogen cyanide
d. None of the above
Answer: A is the correct answer, carbon monoxide is an accidental and suicidal
death usually by poisoning while B, is a colorless or transparent gas usually found
in large quantities in a sewer, septic tanks, drainage pipes, and deep wells and C
is one of the most toxic and rapid acting gases found in leaves of cherry-laurel, in
bitter almond, in kernels of common cherry, plum, peaches, in ordinary bamboo
shoots, and in certain oil seeds and beans.
29. What is due to a decreased capacity of the blood to carry oxygen?
a. Suffocation
b. Asphyxia
c. Hemorrhage
d. Anemic Anoxic Death
Answer: D is the correct answer, anemic anoxic death is due to a decreased
capacity of the blood to carry oxygen while A, is the state of dying from being
deprived of air and B refers to all forms of violent death which results primarily
from the interference with the process of respiration or the condition in which the
supply of oxygen to the blood or to the tissues or both has been reduced below
normal level while C, is a condition due to anemic anoxic death.
30. What are the reason/s for anoxic death?
a. Breathing in an atmosphere without or with insufficient oxygen, as in high
altitude
b. Obstruction of the air passage due to pressure from outside, as in traumatic
crush asphyxia.
c. Paralysis of the respiratory center due to poisoning, injury or anesthesia
d. All of the Above
Answer: D is the correct answer, all of those mentioned above are reasons of
anoxic death.

Prepared by:
Ma. Crielese Y. Macabare
LLB-3