Abstract: Objective To study the main features of mechanical asphyxia--the pathological characteristics of petechial hemorrhage after high temperature effect （roasted, boiled） and its changing rules. Methods Rabbit model of mechanical asphyxia death with choking neck and death from anteposition hanging was established. The experimental rabbits were randomly divided into roasted group and boiled group （n=4, in each group）. The laryngeal ventricles and cardiopulmonary tissues in the roasted group were roasted for 3, 6 and 10 min, and the positions of petechial hemorrhage were observed and photographed. The same organs and tissues in the boiled group were heated in boiling water （100 ℃）, and were observed and photographed at 30 and 60 s. Then histopathological examination was performed on all the laryngeal ventricles and cardiopulmonary tissues. Results The petechial hemorrhage originating from laryngeal ventricle, trachea and lung did not disappear after high temperature treatment in the eight rabbits. The deepened color was visible to naked eyes and distinct from the surrounding normal tissues, with bleeding under the microscope. Conclusion Petechial hemorrhage caused by mechanical asphyxia would not disappear under high temperature, which might be related to the manner of death, the intensity and time of action, and the individual differences.

Key words: forensic pathology, high temperature, mechanical asphyxia, petechial hemorrhage, postmortem burn, rabbits