Asphyxia is defined as an oxygen deficiency, which leads to hypoxic and ischemic lesions of the brain and/or to death (Spitz 2006). Asphyxia can be divided into mechanical or atmospheric asphyxia. Mechanical asphyxia can be caused by obstructive and restrictive triggers which cause an oxygen deficiency by interfering with the delivery and/or the uptake of the oxygen. Obstructive triggers can be, e.g., strangulation or hanging leading to an obstruction of the vessels of the neck and/or the airways or an occlusion of the airways by aspiration of liquids, e.g., drowning or a foreign body. Restrictive triggers are instead associated to an interference of the thoracic movements, e.g., by a compression of the thoracic cage, burking, positional asphyxia, a trauma leading to rib fractures, etc.. Paralysis of the respiratory muscles, which impede a regular respiration and the assimilation of oxygen, can also result in asphyxia. Pneumo- or hemothorax can also have an influence on the respiratory movements and lead to an asphyxia (Brinkmann 2004).