title: Asphyxia in a confined space: a case report.
abstract: We describe a death in a hospital wardrobe of a 40-year-old male suffering from HIV infection and lobar pneumonia. On the basis of circumstantial evidence and autopsy findings we conclude that the cause of death was asphyxia in a confined space as a result of several pathomechanical factors. As well as establishing the cause and manner of death, the interpretation of the case involves the evaluation of the professional responsibility of the medical personnel. This report discusses different aspects concerning the cause, mechanism, and manner of death and illustrates various problems encountered in forensic pathology.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy. fdegiorgio@tiscalinet.it
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Giorgio
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abbate
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arena
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Mercurio
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fucci
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vetrugno
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000401:mortality*; D001344:Autopsy; D020378:Confined Spaces; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male