Reblog: Subtle Signs of a Killer: Non-fatal strangulations point to future homicides
The following article, written by Brian Bennett, is very informative about strangulation and research done in recent years. Some quotes:
An idea was promulgated for decades that there must be external signs of injury such as marks on the neck and/or petechial hemorrhage in the eyes when strangulation occurred. It was believed that without those injuries the assault could not be proven and likely did not occur. This idea is far from the truth.
It can take as little as five pounds of pressure for six to ten seconds to render a person unconscious. … Signs and symptoms known to be associated with strangulation now include a raspy or hoarse voice, difficulty breathing, vision changes, fluid in the lungs, vomiting and involuntary loss of bladder/bowel control.
If a person loses consciousness because the brain has been starved of oxygen then there is permanent brain damage.
In reality, the act of strangulation itself is a lethal act regardless of an offender’s intent. It tells us that the offender has a propensity to use lethal violence and I would argue also demonstrates a mindset that lethal violence is justifiable against anyone. If an offender is willing to harm their intimate partner, child, vulnerable adult or anyone using strangulation, then they can kill anyone….
A study of 300 “choking” cases by the Family Justice Center Alliance in San Diego and Institute on Strangulation Prevention showed that a woman who is strangled even once is 750 percent more likely to be strangled again and 800 percent more likely to be killed later.
Research is showing that many of the domestic mass shooters in the U.S. also had a history of domestic violence and strangulation prior to their mass killings.
This worries me because my ex-friend Richard strangled his own step-daughter, who was only 9, until she passed out. He, by the way, was some 400 pounds at the time, according to court records. She reported it herself, which must have taken amazing courage–and there must have been physical evidence. Since so many incidents don’t have physical evidence, and this was the following day (IIRC), Richard must really have pressed hard.
The information in this article makes me worry that 1) he could do it again, 2) he could murder somebody, 3) she had permanent brain damage from this, and 4) his step-daughter could end up with some guy who chokes her again.
Especially since he used to do stuff for the Mafia and once told me his plans to kill an apartment manager.
Especially since, in an e-mail to me, Richard and/or Tracy jeered at me for “not having all the facts” in this case. Um…Exactly what “facts” make it okay that you strangled your daughter? Even if they become so-called pillars of the community, I know what kind of people they really are: the kind who would minimize strangling a child and threaten and make fun of and stalk the person who discovered the truth.
But back to the article. Lots more good information is in the article here. I encourage you to read it if you’re with an abusive spouse/parent/caregiver/etc.