Forensic medical assesment of the consequences of neck compression in victims of domestic violence

Background. Domestic violence, as a manifestation of physical aggression through neck compression, can lead both to health impairment of the victim and even to death. Insufficient attention has been paid to its consequences during the provision of medical care to the victim and in forensic medical examination. Purpose – to provide information on the increase in gender-based cases of domestic violence and to emphasize non-fatal neck compression, its impact on the victimʼs health, and the determination of the severity of such injuries according to forensic medical criteria. Materials and Methods. The analytical population consisted of adult women who were victims of domestic violence. A total of 52 literature sources from Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and others were used based on keyword searches. In the English-language literature, sources using the terms «non-fatal strangulation» and «non-fatal asphyxia» were considered as types of mechanical asphyxia resulting from neck compression by hands or a ligature. Results. Human rights organizations and national institutions report an increase in domestic violence against women. Manifestations of non-fatal neck compression during domestic violence are accompanied by local injury, clinical symptoms of developing hypoxia or asphyxia, and possible psychological, cognitive, and behavioral disorders. Conclusions. Cases of gender-based domestic physical violence are characterized by an increase in their number both globally and in Ukraine. Its manifestations through neck compression by a ligature or hands require thorough screening, taking into account their clinical consequences both during the provision of medical care and in forensic medical assessment. In the forensic medical substantiation of injury severity in cases of non-fatal neck compression, it is necessary to consider complaints, the presence of bodily injuries, as well as health impairments caused by the development of hypoxia or asphyxia with consequences in the form of neurological, psychological, cognitive, and behavioral disorders.