IT IS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE WHETHER AN ASPHYXIA DEATH IS THE RESULT OF A SUICIDE OR A HOMICIDE, AND IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO VIEW THE BODY AT THE DEATH SCENE BEFORE EXTENUATING EVIDENCE IS REMOVED, TO REVIEW THE VICTIM'S PAST MEDICAL HISTORY, AND TO INTERVIEW ACQUAINTANCES OF THE VICTIM ABOUT HIS RECENT BEHAVIOR AND ASSOCIATES. VARIOUS METHODS AND MATERIALS CHARACTERIZING ASPHYXIA DEATH IN SUICIDE AND HOMICIDE CASES ARE DISCUSSED. THE MARKS LEFT ON THE BODY BY MANUAL AND LIGATURE STRANGULATION, SMOTHERING, HANGING, AND SUFFOCATION ARE DISCUSSED. NATURAL CAUSES, SUFFOCATION DUE TO A TUMOR OR CHOKING ON FOOD OR OBJECTS, ARE ALSO CONSIDERED. EXAMINERS SHOULD LOOK FOR FINGERNAIL MARKS, PRESSURE MARKS, LIGATURE MARKS, TONGUE LACERATIONS, EYE BLOTCHING, AND BRUISES. (DAG)