Pefferkorn Eulalie, Dedouit Fabrice, Savall Frédéric, Saint-Martin Pauline
Institute of Legal medicine, CHRU TOURS, Trousseau Hospital, Avenue de la république, 37170, Chambray-lès-Tours, France.
Medicolegal Institute of Toulouse, Toulouse, France.
Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2024 Nov 29. doi: 10.1007/s12024-024-00924-2.
A 24-year-old woman was brought to the emergency department after suffering dog bites, as reported by a witness. Autopsy revealed 21 deep wounds of the neck, along with unclear injuries to both carotid arteries, extensive damage to neck muscles, a wound to the larynx, and the right lobe of the thyroid gland had been avulsed. The forensic pathologist initially concluded that the cause of death was asphyxia and haemorrhagic syndrome. Furthermore, due to the nature of some wounds resembling stab wounds, as well as facial injuries and marks consistent with gripping, the death was initially considered a possible homicide rather than attributing it to dog bites. Following these findings, the investigation took a drastic turn, resulting in the arrest of the witness. Three years later, our team was consulted for a second opinion. Reviewing the medical records confirmed dissection of both carotid and vertebral arteries without complete section, and fractures of cervical transverse processes, with the left and right vertebral arteries occluded by a bone fragment as seen on a CT scan from the emergency department. The second forensic expert supported the conclusion that the cervical injuries were consistent with dog bites, particularly due to the torn appearance of the muscle masses and soft tissue avulsion. Additionally, the vascular dissections and cervical fractures were attributed to hyperextension and/or compression of the neck, consistent with the dynamics of a dog attack involving shaking or grabbing the neck. Similar types of injuries have been documented in the scientific literature in cases of dog attacks. Furthermore, instances of wounds resembling stab wounds following dog bites have also been reported. The experts conclude that death was secondary to cerebral anoxia resulting from multiple dissections of neck vessels, aggravated by blood spoliation and asphyxia related to the laryngeal wound. All of the wounds were consistent with dog bites, leading to the release of the defendant.
据一名目击者称，一名24岁女子在被狗咬伤后被送往急诊室。尸检发现颈部有21处深部伤口，双侧颈动脉有不明损伤，颈部肌肉广泛受损，喉部有一处伤口，甲状腺右叶被撕裂。法医病理学家最初得出结论，死因是窒息和出血综合征。此外，由于一些伤口的性质类似刺伤，以及面部损伤和与紧握相符的痕迹，最初认为这起死亡可能是一起凶杀案，而非狗咬伤所致。基于这些发现，调查出现了重大转折，导致目击者被捕。三年后，我们的团队被咨询提供第二种意见。查阅病历证实双侧颈动脉和椎动脉均有解剖但未完全切断，颈椎横突骨折，急诊室的CT扫描显示左、右椎动脉被一块骨碎片阻塞。第二位法医专家支持颈部损伤与狗咬伤相符的结论，特别是由于肌肉团块的撕裂外观和软组织撕脱。此外，血管解剖和颈椎骨折归因于颈部过度伸展和/或压迫，这与涉及摇晃或抓住颈部的狗攻击动态相符。在狗攻击案例的科学文献中已记录了类似类型的损伤。此外，也有狗咬伤后出现类似刺伤伤口的病例报告。专家们得出结论，死亡是由于颈部血管多次解剖导致脑缺氧，因血液流失和与喉部伤口相关的窒息而加重。所有伤口均与狗咬伤相符，导致被告被释放。
