Duszenie

Duszenie is the act of constricting the neck to impede breathing or blood flow, typically resulting in asphyxia. In Polish, the term is a noun derived from the verb dusić, meaning to choke or smother.

Duszenie can occur through manual pressure, the use of a ligature, or other means that compress the neck. The immediate effect is usually a loss of consciousness within seconds if airflow or blood supply is disrupted; prolonged asphyxia can cause brain injury or death.

In medical and forensic contexts, duszenie is studied as a form of asphyxia and as a method of violent death. Signs that may be observed in investigations include neck trauma, facial congestion, petechiae, and other injuries. Forensic analysis often seeks to determine the mechanism (manual versus ligature) and to establish the cause and manner of death.

Historically and legally, duszenie has been used as a method of homicide or punishment and is illegal in Poland and most other jurisdictions. In sport and self-defense contexts, the term also appears to describe choke holds in grappling disciplines; these uses are governed by safety rules and legality and are not described here.

Related terms include asphyxia, strangulation, and choking. The topic encompasses medical, legal, and forensic perspectives, and it is treated as a dangerous form of violence in most contemporary legal systems.