Can You Strangle Someone And Not Leave A Mark?

Skip to content

• Practice Areas
• Criminal Law
• Civil Law
• About Us
• Services
• CLE
• Godoy Team
• Careers
• Our Story
• Ask an Expert!
• New Client FAQ’s
• Testimonials
• Tools
• Contact
• Blog

Can you strangle someone and not leave a mark?

There may be absolutely no outward physical sign of the strangulation. Approximately 50% of documented cases exhibit no visible injury. An additional 35% have injuries that are too minor to photograph. (Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention, 2014) Therefore the absence of physical signs of strangulation does not exclude the event. This often means that the medical care is delivered and the legal case is built, solely on the subjective symptoms of the victim. When there are physical signs of strangulation, they are commonly non-specific and may be caused by a number of conditions or other trauma.

It is important to note that there are other causes for most, if not all, of these signs and symptoms.

Common subjective complaints:	Common objective signs:
Neck/Throat Pain	Redness/bruising/scratches to neck
Nausea	Vomiting
Ears ringing	ligature marks
Head Rush	thumb print bruising/abrasion under chin
Spasm/seizure	red eyes/subconjunctival hemorrhage (pictured)
Urination/Defecation	cough/voice changes
Unconsciousness	petechiae

*bolded items demonstrate evidence of asphyxia

Asphyxia is the most common serious bodily injury in a strangulation case. The immediate risk of injury to a strangulation victim is a progressive inflammation of the airway that causes a cessation of breathing hours after the event. For this reason, patients should be monitored or sent home with caregivers. The long term effects of non-fatal strangulation may be minor and limited only to coughing and a sore throat, or may be severe and result in permanent brain damage and/or stroke.

Categories: Assault, Blunt Force Trauma, Domestic ViolenceBy Tara GodoyTags: asphyxiadomestic violenceligaturepetechiaestrangulationsubconjunctival hemorrhage

Post navigation

PreviousPrevious post:CLABSI Prevention – What’s the patient’s responsibility?NextNext post:Treatment of CLABSI

More Articles

Soft Tissue Injuries- Part 3December 29, 2025Soft Tissue Injuries- Part 2November 26, 2025Soft Tissue Injuries- Part 1November 3, 2025Diabetes in DUI CasesSeptember 30, 2025Medication Errors in the Clinical SettingAugust 26, 2025Methamphetamine and CrimeJuly 29, 2025 Search Search: Recent posts

• Soft Tissue Injuries- Part 3December 29, 2025
• Soft Tissue Injuries- Part 2November 26, 2025
• Soft Tissue Injuries- Part 1November 3, 2025
• Diabetes in DUI CasesSeptember 30, 2025

Testimonials

“Your firm exemplifies wonderful professionalism. I am very grateful to have you guys as a resource.”

Jamil NushwatManaging Partner | Central Valley Trial Attorneys

“The work provided by Godoy Medical Forensics services are first rate, on point, fair and honest. Excellent analysis and easily understandable.”

Alexander S.Defense Attorney | Hawaii

“As a seasoned criminal defense trial attorney, my experience with Tara Godoy and Godoy Medical Forensics has been excellent, a true professional, and great results.”

Miguel A. HernandezPrivate Criminal Defense Attorney | Monterey County

“I have worked with Tara Godoy for over a decade now, and can say unequivocally that she is as good as it gets for review of, and consultations about, all manner of medical records. She is thorough, provides excellent insight and is always there to provide assistance on my criminal cases.”

George BorgesPrivate Criminal Defense Attorney | San Francisco

“Godoy Medical Forensics has assisted my firm in many cases, and their experts have always produced work product of the highest caliber, including testimony in numerous trials.”

Jevin A. HernandezPrivate Criminal Defense Attorney | Monterey County CategoriesCategories Select Category Assault Blunt Force Trauma Child Abuse Civil Law Company Events and Updates Criminal Law Domestic Violence DUI Elder/Dependent Abuse & Neglect (Civil) Elder/Dependent Abuse & Neglect (Criminal) Emergency Department EMS Failure to Thrive General Medical Getting to know Tara Homicide Labor & Delivery Malpractice Missed Diagnoses Mitigation Neonaticide/Filicide Pediatrics Policies and Procedures Practice Areas Psych/Mental Health Psych/Mental Health (Civil) Surgical procedures Toxicology Uncategorized Workman’s Comp Archives Archives Select Month December 2025 November 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 May 2025 April 2025 January 2025 October 2024 August 2024 June 2024 May 2024 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 May 2020 March 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 March 2013 February 2013 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 June 2011 April 2011 January 2011 May 2010 April 2010 Go to Top

Submit New Case:

Sign Up For: