Editing Asphyxia (section)

===Smothering===
{{Redirect|Smother}}
Smothering is a mechanical obstruction of the flow of air from the environment into the mouth or nostrils, for instance, by covering the mouth and nose with a hand, pillow, or a plastic bag.<ref name=Ferris>{{cite web | vauthors = Ferris JA |url= http://www.pathology.ubc.ca/path425/Others/MedicolegalInvestigationOfDeathAndForensic/AsphixiaDrJAJFerris.doc |title=Asphyxia |website=pathology.ubc.ca |access-date=March 1, 2006 |format=DOC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614111606/http://www.pathology.ubc.ca/path425/Others/MedicolegalInvestigationOfDeathAndForensic/AsphixiaDrJAJFerris.doc |archive-date=June 14, 2006 }}</ref> Smothering can be either partial or complete, where partial indicates that the person being smothered is able to inhale some air, although less than required. In a normal situation, smothering requires at least partial obstruction of both the nasal cavities and the mouth to lead to asphyxia. Smothering with the hands or chest is used in some [[combat sport]]s to distract the opponent, and create openings for [[transition (grappling)|transitions]], as the opponent is forced to react to the smothering.

In some cases, when performing certain routines, smothering is combined with simultaneous compressive asphyxia. One example is overlay, in which an adult accidentally rolls over onto an infant during [[co-sleeping]], an accident that often goes unnoticed and is mistakenly thought to be [[sudden infant death syndrome]].<ref name=Ferris/> 

Other accidents involving a similar mechanism are [[cave-in|cave-ins]], or when an individual is buried in sand, snow, dirt, or grain.

In [[homicide|homicidal]] cases, the term burking describes a killing method that involves simultaneous smothering and compression of the torso.<ref name=dimaio>{{cite book | vauthors = DiMaio V, DiMaio D | date = 2001 | chapter = Asphyxia | title = Forensic Pathology | edition = Second | chapter-url = http://www.datenschlag.org/howto/atem/english/DiM89.html | quote = Deaths Occurring Following the Application of Choke or Carotid Holds | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160513072917/http://www.charlydmiller.com/LIB/forensicpathasphyxia.html | archive-date= 13 May 2016 |publisher=CRC Press |location=Boca Raton  | isbn = 978-0-8493-0072-1 }}</ref> The term "burking" comes from the method [[Burke and Hare murders|William Burke and William Hare]] used to kill their victims during the [[Burke and Hare murders|West Port murders]]. They killed the usually intoxicated victims by sitting on their chests and suffocating them by putting a hand over their nose and mouth, while using the other hand to push the victim's jaw up. The corpses had no visible injuries, and were supplied to medical schools for money.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Burking Law & Legal Definition|url = http://definitions.uslegal.com/b/burking/|website = definitions.uslegal.com|access-date = 2015-08-07|archive-date = 24 June 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180624112732/https://definitions.uslegal.com/b/burking/|url-status = live}}</ref>