[Suffocation XXXX by occlusion of the airways with sand].

@entity1 @entity204 @entity528 @entity4197
Eleven cases are reported in which @entity204 occurred because of suffocation as a result of occlusion of the respiratory tract by sand (without thoracic compression: 3 cases) or being buried alive (8 cases). Two tables demonstrate the findings and circumstances in the events. Three cases are described in detail. A 22-year-old @entity1 was manhandled by blows and kicks to the head and neck. She became unconscious and her head and neck were covered by a layer of sand so that she suffocated. A 42-year-old @entity1 was smothered, while unconscious, in a prone position with his face in the sand, after hard blows to the head by two culprits. A 17-year-old @entity1 finally died by chocking. Previously the culprit had pressed her face into the ground, so that she aspirated particles of soil. The question of vital reactions during aspiration of sand was investigated by microscopic examination of the content of the air passage and by destroying parts of the lungs by @entity4197 . Minimal aspiration of sand occurred in all cases. Although the postmortal remains were left in the ground, there was no postmortem penetration of sand into the air passage. Histological examinations were carried out to support the diagnosis of violent suffocation. In some cases, there were remarkable findings (mobilization of alveolar cells, hepatocelullar @entity528 ), but there were no typical or unanimous findings that pertained to all cases.
