American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

Mechanical asphyxia can be caused by which of the following situations?

1. A loud noise startling the victim

2. A heavy object compressing the victim's chest

3. A sudden loss of consciousness

4. The victim's own panic response

The correct answer is: A heavy object compressing the victim's chest

Mechanical asphyxia occurs when an external force obstructs the chest or airway, preventing the victim from properly breathing. The scenario involving a heavy object compressing the victim's chest exemplifies this, as the weight can physically limit the expansion of the chest wall, impairing respiratory function and leading to asphyxia. In contrast, a loud noise startling the victim does not obstruct airflow or impede breathing directly, rather it may cause a temporary shock response without lasting physiological effects on respiration. A sudden loss of consciousness might result from various causes, including medical conditions, but it does not inherently involve an external physical force causing asphyxia. Similarly, while panic can significantly impact breathing patterns and lead to hyperventilation or feelings of suffocation, it does not provide the physical obstruction characteristic of mechanical asphyxia. Thus, the scenario of a heavy object is the defining example of mechanical asphyxia due to its direct impact on the body's capacity to breathe.