Peri- and post mortem hemorrhages in the anterior neck after chin-collar application

摘要

Intense blunt compression trauma to the neck can result in subcutaneous, intramuscular or laryngeal mucosa bleedings of different intensity. While these findings can easily be detected through a layer-wise dissection of the neck muscles and soft tissue during autopsy, it can be difficult to distinguish between peri-/post- and ante mortem hemorrhages solely based on macroscopic findings. Especially when an initial preliminary diagnosis is required, possible artifacts have to be excluded.