Gagging and throttling by rice grains: An unusual case of asphyxia in the name of witchcraft

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/jkmc.v12i3.64357

Keywords:

Asphyxia, Autopsy, Homicide, Myth, Nepal

Abstract

Witchcraft-related violence persists in Nepal, with accusations serving as cultural weapons against those deviating from norms, especially vulnerable individuals like the elderly, impoverished, widowed, or unmarried women. This case report aims to highlight the myths and consequences surrounding these beliefs. A 55-year-old woman, accused of witchcraft, was found dead under seven sacks of rice. Autopsy revealed death by asphyxia, caused by gagging from rice grains with throttling. This tragic incident underscores the urgent need to address and dismantle such harmful superstitions, ensuring the safety and dignity of all individuals within the community.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract
0
PDF
0

References

1. Zunner-Keating A, Avetyan M, Shepard B. (2021). Beliefs: An open invitation to the anthropology of magic, witchcraft, and religion [Internet]. Available from: [Full Text]

2. Atreya, A, Aryal S, Nepal S, Nepal B. Accusations of witchcraft: A form of violence against women in Nepal. Med Sci Law. 2021;61(2):147-9. [PubMed | Full Text | DOI]

3. Saukko P, Knight B. Suffocation and asphyxia. In: Knight's Forensic Pathology. 4th ed. 2015:345-50.

4. Santoro P, La Russa R, Besi L, et al. The forensic approach to plastic bag suffocation: Case reports and review of the literature. Med Leg J. 2019;87(4):214-20. [PubMed | Full Text | DOI]

5. Dunn RJ, Sukhija K, Lopez RA. Strangulation injuries. Bookshelf ID: NBK459192. 2023. [PubMed | Full Text]

6. Saint-Martin P, Lefrancq T, Sauvageau A. Homicidal smothering on toilet paper: A case report. J Forensic Leg Med. 2012;19(4):234-235. [PubMed | Full Text | DOI]

7. Jang SJ, Park JH, Kim YJ, et al. Death by homicidal smothering using hot steam towel: A case report. Korean J Legal Med. 2013;37(2). [Full Text | DOI]

8. Vendura K, Geserick G. Tödlicher Exorzismus: Ein Fallbericht [Fatal exorcism: A case report]. Archiv fur Kriminologie. 1997;200:73-8 [PubMed | Full Text]

9. Cohle SD. Homicidal asphyxia by pepper aspiration. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 1986;31(4). [PubMed | Full Text | DOI]

10. Wheater K. Witchcraft, Oracles and Magic Among the Azande. Macat Library Intl; 2017. [Full Text]

Downloads

Published

2023-07-01

How to Cite

Shrestha, A., Gautam, R., & Ghimire, M. (2023). Gagging and throttling by rice grains: An unusual case of asphyxia in the name of witchcraft. Journal of Kathmandu Medical College, 12(3), 184–187. https://doi.org/10.3126/jkmc.v12i3.64357

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 3 (2023): Issue 45, Jul-Sep 2023

Section

Case Reports

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Journal of Kathmandu Medical College

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Copyright © Journal of Kathmandu Medical College
The ideas and opinions expressed by authors or articles summarized, quoted, or published in full text in this journal represent only the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of Journal of Kathmandu Medical College or the institute with which the author(s) is/are affiliated, unless so specified.

Authors convey all copyright ownership, including any and all rights incidental thereto, exclusively to JKMC, in the event that such work is published by JKMC. JKMC shall own the work, including 1) copyright; 2) the right to grant permission to republish the article in whole or in part, with or without fee; 3) the right to produce preprints or reprints and translate into languages other than English for sale or free distribution; and 4) the right to republish the work in a collection of articles in any other mechanical or electronic format.