Investigating Domestic Violence Strangulation: What is It and How to Recognize It
ByAccording to the National District Attorneys Association, 10% of violent deaths in the United States are attributable to strangulation. That is a huge number, and one that demands police officers properly investigate and document strangulation cases. Recognizing the signs of strangulation is the first step in prosecuting this type of battery.
Typically, the first indicator a police officer may have in a strangulation case is the victim’s statements. The victim may say “He choked me!” This is a good first indicator of a serious attack.
A quick note about terminology. “Choking” is what happens when something lodges in the throat, blocking the airway. For example, a piece of food. “Strangulation” is what happens when someone grabs another person’s neck/throat, and begins to cut of air and blood flow. Most victims will say “choke,” but you better say “strangle” when testifying.
External signs of a strangulation victim may be very minor, if they are visible at all. San Diego conducted a survey of 300 misdemeanor strangulation cases. In 50% of the cases, there was no visible injuries. Another 35% had visible injuries so minor, that they would not show up in photographs. That means that the victims in only 15% of all strangulation cases studied had injuries significant enough to (1) be seen, and (2) be photographed.
When present, visible injuries may include:
- redness to the neck
- scratch marks on the neck (from the victim trying to remove her attacker’s hands)
- thumb print bruising
- petechiae (red spots) in the eyes, or in the skin of the neck, head, and face
- neck swelling
Additionally, a police officer may hear the victim’s voice as raspy, or the victim may even lose her voice entirely. About 50% of all strangulation victims experience a voice change from the physical trauma.
Other signs that strangulation has occured:
- the victim “blacked out” or lost consciousness
- the victim lost control of their bowels or bladder
- breathing difficulty
- unusual behavior changes
I strongly recommend that you have EMS respond to the scene for any victim of strangulation. Minor bruising to some of the neck muscles that are not even visible, can swell and cut off the blood flow causing death up to 36 hours after the attack. Even if the victim refuses treatment, you can show you provided every opportunity for her to receive treatment.
I’ll follow up this post with additional information on the lethality of strangulation, and suggestions on how to document it to enhance your ability to prosecute these cases.
Stay safe!
.
15 Comments
November 16th, 2007 at 11:23 am
I read somewhere that strangulation in domestic violence cases is an indicator of severe abuse and that it should be “Red Flagged” for medical treatment.I cannot find the reference and need it for a resource for General Practitioners which I am preparing for Irish doctors and Practice Nurses.
Thanking you in advance,
mary troy
November 16th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Mary,
I sent you an e-mail with some additional information. I hope it is of use. Please let me know if you do not receive it.
Don’t hesitate to let me know if there is anything else I can do to help.
Richard
March 19th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I was strangled by a violent psychopath in my teens. One of the most striking features of the attack (to me - I’m not a clinician) , apart from my loss of voice and problems with breathing, was that a couple of hours after the attack a thin blood red line appeared at the bottom of the whites of my eyes. Over the next day or so the line gradually rose until the entire whites of my eyes were red. I did not receive any medical care as I was being held against my will at the time. Over the next few days the lines lowered again, always in a straight line. I am now, many years later, quite curious about this. I wonder why my eyes bled in this way? Reading your site I also realize how lucky I am to be alive. I don’t know if you answer queries from members of the public, I am also in the UK, but I would be very interested to hear why my eyes went red in this very uniform way. I am now 47 years old and it is painful to remember this stuff, but I also very much want to understand what happened to me. Thank you. Louise
October 12th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Yesterday morning, I was strangled by my controlling boyfriend. When he let go he asked me for money then left. When he returned the police were waiting for him. Don’t know why i’m even typing this, but just wanted all girls, young ladies and women to know that you are so much better than your attacker. Call the police, press charges, get the restraining order and enj0y you new found freedom again. Enjoy your life. Right now, my neck is swollen, Tomorrow i need to return to work as if nothing happened. We need to be strong ladies. Even though you feel weak. Peace, Love & Tranquility to you all.
October 12th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Janet,
Thank you for sharing your story. I hope that others can find strength from your experience.
Richard
November 15th, 2008 at 9:58 am
For information regarding the medical aspects of strangulation, please feel free to contact me. I can also provide you with some articles from the medical literature regarding the health seriousness of strangulation.
DrT
http://www.healthaftertrauma.com
November 18th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Janet, I to was strangled on the 15 of October by my I guess you can say jealous and very drunk boyfriend. I am very grateful to be alive and I am for you also. I work with him so this is going to make it difficult, I hope I have the strength like you to continue on and not fall back to the hold of him. Thank you for this site.
Kerri from Austin.
January 18th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
My friend was strangled last night and refused treatment at the hospital. Her voice is almost gone. How long does it usually take to come back?
January 19th, 2009 at 2:26 am
Alyshia,
It all depends on the trauma that was inflicted and your friend’s natural healing ability.
I would suggest that you try to get her to a medical professional for treatment. The trauma from strangulation can cause death many hours after the attack due to the traumatized area swelling and cutting off circulation to the brain.
Good luck, and help your friend as much as she will let you.
–Richard
June 14th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Hi,
My ex, mish *******, stangeled me in april 2008 and also hit me about 100 times and trew me 5 times on the floor…he damaged my back and he still pretends he is not a violent man…he also is a voyeur and a cleptoman…but he is very clever and he hides this side of him…so nobody believes me…this week end, for example, he has a stand and sells his vew-do boards and arbor snowboards on a anti violence event! he enjoys manipulating and lying to intelligent people so he feels better than them…how sick is that?
Karin
October 14th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
I was stangled twice by my familiar partner. No signs left… however since than I have troulbe to sleep and I cry every day… I feel I do not want to live anymore and I feel like in a constant state of depression. Unfortunatly I went to the police 9 months later….
When I relized that was not normal after 9 months to feel so lifeless and depressed.
I wander if anyone know of groups that help you out on the recovery… I have been under shock for several months… howful!!
i was not aware of that at the time.
I need help..
October 14th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
There are quite a few domestic violence support groups around the nation and world. I do not know where you are, but I would suggest contacting the local police or prosecurot’s office. They should have a victim advocate that can put you in touch with a recovery group.
Also, if you have a YWCA in the area, they should be able to provide a referral to you.
Good luck!
October 19th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Can anyone tell me how long it takes for the red in a persons eyes to go away after being strangled? Is it a permanent condition?
October 19th, 2009 at 9:29 am
I’m not a medical professional, so I would always suggest you seek one out for a definitive answer. My understanding, however, is that it is temporary. How long it takes your eyes to heal, and the redness to go away, depends on your body’s ability to heal and the amount of damage originally done.
Good luck,
Richard
January 12th, 2010 at 5:54 am
Hi All,
I was strangled at a party when i was 23, i am now 26. I have now a permanently damaged voice that is a lot less powerful and sounds completley different. I am depressed from my voice, not the incident itself. I beg anyone if this happens god forbid, report the person immediately and have them charged, you have no idea the effect it has on you years later.
i have been to see 3 ENT’s all of which said i am fine, my family think i am crazy, but it hurts to talk, swallow, and breath.
i am from australia, i am willing to travel to have an operation if i can get this fixed, my email is aj2383@mac.com.
please let me know if you know any doctors in this area,
regards,
alex