[Medico-legal aspects of deaths by mechanical asphyxia occurring in Abidjan from 2002 to 2020].

Aim: The aim of this work was to describe the deaths by mechanical as phyxiation that occurred in Abidjan in order to contribute to their prevention.

Material and methods: This was a retrospective and descriptive study carried out over a period of 19 years (2002-2020) and relating to deaths by mechanical asphyxia treated by Forensic Medicine.

Results: Deaths by mechanical asphyxiation represented 1.23% (756/60,984), concerned men (85%), from the informal sector (39.7%) or pupils/students (34.1%), single people (75%). These deaths occurred on Wednesdays (16.7%), in the afternoon (47.9%), during the month of June (15.2%), by drowning (72.2%), during swimming (56%). The hanging (15.1%) was discovered at the victim's home (95.6%) and the contexts that occurred were financial problems (26%) and depression (25%). Choking (11.4%) followed landslides (79%). Strangulation (1.3%) was criminal (100%) and occurred in the context of settling scores (60%) and crimes of passion (40%). The circumstances of occurrence of drowning and suffocation were accidental respectively in 71.8% and 82.6% of cases while hanging was suicidal (85%).

Conclusion: Deaths by mechanical asphyxiation although minimal, constitute a social drama. Their prevention requires the implementation of preventive measures against drowning.