Death by Homicidal Smothering Using Hot Steam Towel: A Case Report

Seon Jung Jang; Jong Hyeok Park; Young Joo Kim; Suk Hoon Ham; Na Young Jo; Hongil Ha

doi:10.7580/kjlm.2013.37.2.90

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Jang, Park, Kim, Ham, Jo, and Ha: Death by Homicidal Smothering Using Hot Steam Towel: A Case Report

Case Report

Korean J Leg Med 2013;37(2):90-92.

Published online: 17 January 2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.7580/kjlm.2013.37.2.90

Death by Homicidal Smothering Using Hot Steam Towel: A Case Report

Seon Jung Jang¹, Jong Hyeok Park², Young Joo Kim², Suk Hoon Ham², Na Young Jo³, Hongil Ha²

¹Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea

²Division of Forensic Medicine, Southern District Office, National Forensic Service, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam, Korea

³Busan Metropolitan Police Agency, Busan, Korea

Corresponding Author : Hongil Ha Division of Forensic Medicine, Southern District Office, National Forensic Service, 50 Geumoh-ro, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam, 626-742, Korea. TEL : +82-55-380-4050 FAX : +82-55-380-4060 E-mail : sanchee@korea.kr

Received 28 April 2013 Revised 14 May 2013 Accepted 22 May 2013

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

An unusual case of homicide of a 21-year-old man who was smothered with a hot steam towel by his mother and a pastoress in the name of exorcism. Homicidal smothering in adults is rare, but does occur when the victims are not capable of defending themselves in situations such as chronic illness, old age, drug intoxication or when restrained by other people. In this case, distinct facial scalding was a clue to smothering with a hot steam towel.

Keywords: Key Words, Smothering, Homicide, Exorcism, Towel, Adult

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Fig. 1.

Scalding injuries with a few abrasions on the forehead of the deceased's face.

Fig. 2.

A few petechiae, and mucosal injuries in the buccal region of the deceased.

Fig. 3.

Mucosal edema in the pharynx of the deceased.

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