AUTOPSIES SOMETIMES PROVIDE INSUFFICIENT OR MISLEADING INFORMATION IN ASPHYXIA DEATHS. ALTHOUGH ASPHYXIA IS A COMMON METHOD OF SUICIDE, CORONERS AND FORENSIC INVESTIGATORS ALWAYS SHOULD LOOK FOR HOMICIDE SIGNS IN THE CORPSE. BODIES SHOULD BE EXAMINED AT THE DEATH SCENE, SINCE MOVING THEM CAN ALTER AUTOPSY RESULTS. ACQUAINTANCES OF THE DECEASED SHOULD BE INTERVIEWED TO GATHER INFORMATION ON THE HABITS AND ASSOCIATES OF THE DECEASED, AS WELL AS ANY CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR PRIOR TO DEATH. INVESTIGATORS SHOULD CHECK LIVIDITY AND PRESSURE MARKS WHICH SUGGEST THAT THE BODY WAS MOVED AFTER DEATH IN ORDER TO COVER UP A HOMICIDE. BODIES OF STRANGULATED FEMALES ALWAYS SHOULD BE CHECKED FOR EVIDENCE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT. CHARACTERISTICS OF SUICIDAL ASPHYXIA AS OPPOSED TO HOMICIDAL ASPHYXIA ARE DISCUSSED. (DAG)