Abstract: Objective To analyze and summarize the rule of manual strangulation,as well as to look for the key points of injury identification,in order to provide information for formulating and revising the identifica-tion regulations.Methods Twenty-one cases of manual strangulation from 1963 to 2004 in Xiangfan were reviewed and analyzed according to the characters,symptoms and appraisements.Results The majority of assaulters in manual strangulation was young adult male and often could find the counteracted wounds on them.The throttling mark reaction usually could be found in victims and the cardinal symptoms were con-tusion in throat and asphyxiation in ocular region.Conclusion The degree of injuries is mainly moderate and slight.There is some inadaptability in the current regulations.

Key words: forensic medicine, neck injuries, asphyxia, case analysis