Three nonlethal ligature strangulations filmed by an autoerotic practitioner: comparison of early agonal responses in strangulation by ligature, hanging, and manual strangulation.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Case series analyzing three filmed episodes in a single individual
PubMed 22922552 · doi:10.1097/PAF.0b013e3182663002
What was done
Video recordings of three nonlethal self-administered ligature strangulations performed by a 35-year-old male autoerotic practitioner were analyzed. The subject sat on a chair, wrapped pajama pants once around his neck, pulled the ends with both hands to apply neck compression, lost consciousness, and subsequently regained consciousness after the ligature loosened. Observed timelines were compared to literature on filmed hangings and judo-related manual strangulation studies.
What was found
In all three filmed episodes, loss of consciousness occurred at 11 seconds of neck compression. The loss of consciousness was closely followed by the onset of convulsions at 7 to 11 seconds.
Why it matters
This study provides rare real-time observational data on the timeline of loss of consciousness and early agonal motor phenomena during ligature strangulation in humans.
Limits
The findings are derived from a single individual across three self-induced, nonlethal episodes with a specific soft ligature (pajama pants) and manual tension release, which may not generalize to lethal assaults, different ligature types, or other populations.
Cited by
- supports Choking someone induces loss of consciousness within approximately eight seconds.