Journal Published Online: 01 October 1986
Volume 31, Issue 4

Homicidal Asphyxia by Pepper Aspiration

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

As punishment for lying, the foster mother of a five-year-old white male poured pepper into his throat. He immediately became dyspneic, then apneic, and was pronounced dead about 1 h later. At autopsy, the main stem and several smaller bronchi were occluded with pepper. Mechanisms of asphyxia by pepper include mechanical obstruction of the tracheobronchial tree and mucosal edema caused by the irritant effect of volatile oils in pepper. This rare circumstance represents the second reported fatal case of pepper aspiration and the third reported case overall.

Author Information

Cohle, SD
Blodgett Memorial Medical Center, Grand Rapids, MI
Pages: 4
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS11928J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11928J