Well if the neck were to be broken with an upward and back motion then it could be an accidental death but if there is any type of twisting to the neck that will be present on the bone during autopsy and ligiture marks may also show up a few hours after the initial death of the victim.
Mar 15, 2009 Rating
neck injury by: V
Interesting question. Neck can be damaged in a few ways; quick twist, twist with push towards the floor, pull backward (forehead) while pushing neck forward with other hand (opposite forces). Each will create different type of neck injury. Another aspect; different way of falling of a dead body pushed down and live person, who tripped or slipped (fell back). As a result, additional injuries sustained during fall/ landing. Position of body upon landing. Of course I'm totally ignoring such thing as search for motive, DNA traces or any struggle prior to homicide which would create some changes within victim's body (increased level of hormones?) It is possible,that without clearly obvious motive or signs of fight case would be treated as purely accidental.
Aug 11, 2008 Rating
Neck-Snapping by: Merrick
The only way that I can think of is if the bones had broken in a way that showed twisting, as opposed to "Bendy-straw" crunching, most likely in a way similar to the formation of cirrus clouds. I can't think of the word... hahaha.
