The term 'burking' refers to a method of homicidal asphyxia consisting of:
- A Strangulation with the attacker's forearm crossed over the victim's neck from behind
- B Forced insufflation of water into the airways to simulate drowning
- C Simultaneous smothering of mouth and nose combined with forcible flexion of the chest by sitting on it ✓
- D Compression of the chest under fallen earth in trench collapse
Correct answer: C. Simultaneous smothering of mouth and nose combined with forcible flexion of the chest by sitting on it
Explanation
Burking takes its name from William Burke, who killed victims by closing the mouth and nostrils with his hands while kneeling or sitting across the victim's chest, producing combined smothering and traumatic asphyxia. It leaves few external marks, which historically aided undetected murder. Option A describes mugging, option B describes a fabricated drowning, and option D describes traumatic asphyxia from crush by earth.
Reference: Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 7th ed.
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