Prevalence and Characteristics of Nonfatal Strangulation in Medical Forensic Examination

A Retrospective Chart Review, 2017–2023

Bibliographic Data

ID12436889
AuthorsChelsea Knutson (0000-0002-8229-0157, University of Texas Medical Branch, corresponding author), Patricia Carter (0000-0003-2582-667X, University of Texas Medical Branch), Robert A Bartsch (0000-0001-8055-1512, University of Texas Medical Branch), Nancy R Downing (0000-0002-4975-3789, UNT Health College of Nursing, Fort Worth, TX, USA), Patricia Blair (0000-0001-5281-1612, University of Texas Medical Branch), Stephanie E Meyers (University of Texas Medical Branch)
Year2025
Pages10778012251397979-10778012251397979
Publication date2025-12-04
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueViolence Against Women (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1077-8012 • E-ISSN: 1552-8448
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/10778012251397979
PMID41342778
OpenAlexW4416995812
LanguageEN
References cited10

This study examined prevalence and characteristics of nonfatal strangulation (NFS) in medical forensic examinations from 2017 to 2023. A retrospective chart review of 1,396 records revealed 243 NFS cases (17.4%), prevalence increasing from 13.3% in 2017 to 22.2% in 2023. Adult NFS comprised 15.2% of cases, children 2.2%. Analysis of the NFS group revealed partner/spouse perpetrators were most common overall. Children were most commonly victimized by friends/acquaintances. NFS disproportionately affected females (94.2% of all NFS cases). Among children experiencing NFS, minority groups were overrepresented, accounting for 74.2% of pediatric NFS cases. The COVID-19 period showed distinct changes in age-related patterns

Forensic science · Injury prevention · Medical record · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Retrospective cohort study · Child Abuse and Related Trauma · Genital Health and Disease · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Restraint-Related Deaths

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