(Private) Strangulation: Evaluating Strangulation Evidence from a Medical Perspective for Essex County Bar Advocates
In approximately 50% of strangulation/suffocation cases, there is no visible sign of injury; in an additional 35% of cases the injuries are too minor to photograph.
This presentation is designed to educate attorneys and investigators on what to look for to determine if strangulation occurred and
the risk of lethality. Anatomy, vocabulary, statistics, mechanism, petechiae, and signs and symptoms are all reviewed. A case study is reviewed when time permits.
Highlights/ Agenda
• Anatomy/Physiology (10-15 mins)
• Statistics (5 mins)
• Mechanisms (5-10 mins)
• Hypoxia/lethality (15-20 mins)
• Petechiae (10-15 mins)
• Autopsy Findings (10-15 mins)
• Case Study (5-10 mins)
Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the attendee will:
1) Understand the anatomy and pathophysiology behind strangulation assaults
2) Understand the risk of lethality from strangulation assaults
3) Understand the significance of petechial hemorrhages
4) Understand hypoxia and the signs and symptoms related to hypoxia
Speakers
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Merriam Young, MS RN CCRN TCRNForensic Nurse ExpertMerriam has been a nurse for 25 years, 16 of which include care of trauma patients, and the last 9 years in Surgical ICU. The last nine years she has worked in the Surgical/Trauma Intensive Care Unit at Stanford University Medical Center. Merriam has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master’s in Nursing from San Jose State University. She has a certificate in Forensic Nursing from the University of California in Riverside. She is a certified critical care nurse and a trauma certified nurse. Merriam has completed the four-day Advanced Strangulation Course and has reviewed multiple strangulation, assault, DUI, domestic violence, and homicide cases. Merriam has been qualified to testify on strangulation, blunt force trauma, traumatic brain injury and acceptable medical practice for blood draws.
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MS RN CCRN TCRN
