Asphyxia
SUFFOCATION
SMOTHERING
Smothering and suffocation are often used interchangeably, but the term “smothering” is best used for that form of asphyxia in which the nose and mouth are obstructed e.g. by a hand, paper, clothes, pillow, plastic bag etc. Gagging people to keep them quiet may lead to smothering. Signs of asphyxia are commonly absent or are only slight, and because marks of injury may be few if any at all homicidal smothering may be difficult to diagnose. Overlaying is the accidental death by smothering of young children by adults sleeping with them. In the U.K. it is a criminal offence...