An intoxicated man is found dead in a lodging house. Autopsy shows bruising over the mouth and chin, fractured ribs, and congestion of the face. History reveals a companion had sat across his chest while holding a hand firmly over his mouth and nose. This method of homicide is known as:

• A Overlaying
• B Mugging
• C Gagging
• D Burking ✓

Explanation

Burking combines smothering with thoracic compression: the assailant kneels or sits on the chest of an intoxicated victim while sealing the mouth and nose with a hand, preventing both breathing movements and airflow. It takes its name from William Burke of the Burke and Hare murders in Edinburgh, whose victims were drugged and killed this way for sale of corpses. Mugging is a neck restraint, gagging involves forcing material into the mouth, and overlaying refers to accidental chest compression during sleep sharing.

Reference: Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.