Define throttling

Throttling is the deliberate limiting or controlling of a rate - whether of data, requests, processes, or resources - to prevent overload, ensure fair usage, or maintain system stability.

The term applies across several domains:

Networking / APIs Rate-limiting the number of requests a client can make in a given time window (e.g., 1000 API calls per minute). Excess requests are delayed, queued, or rejected with a 429 Too Many Requests response.

Computing / CPUs Reducing a processor's clock speed when it overheats or when power needs to be conserved. The CPU intentionally runs slower to stay within thermal or power limits.

Databases Limiting query throughput or connection rates to prevent a single user or process from monopolizing resources.

Cloud Services Providers (AWS, Azure, GCP) throttle service calls to protect infrastructure and enforce service-tier limits.

Engine / Mechanical In vehicles and engines, the throttle controls airflow and fuel delivery - "throttling" means restricting that flow to reduce power output.

General principle across all uses:

Throttling = intentionally capping a rate or flow to stay within defined limits.

The goal is always the same: balance load, protect stability, and ensure fair access - rather than letting any single consumer exhaust a shared resource.

Forensic medicine

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Throttling definition according to forensic medicine

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Throttling - Forensic Medicine

Definition

Throttling is defined as a form of strangulation effected by the hand (one or both), and is therefore referred to as manual strangulation. It causes asphyxia by compression of the neck structures.

Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
P.C. Dikshit Textbook of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

Mechanism of Death

Primary cause: occlusion of blood vessels supplying blood to the brain (jugular veins and carotid arteries).
Occlusion of the airway plays a minor/secondary role.
Death can also occur rapidly from cardiac inhibition due to pressure on the carotid sinus or vagus nerve (vagal inhibition).
Pressure must be applied for 2 minutes or more to cause death by asphyxia.

Medico-legal Classification (Manner of Death)

1. Suicidal Throttling

Not possible. Compression of the windpipe causes rapid unconsciousness, after which the fingers relax and the victim recovers. Suicide by throttling is therefore considered impossible.

2. Homicidal Throttling

The most common manner. Throttling is a common mode of homicide because the hand is immediately available as a weapon. Victims are usually:

Infants and children
Women
Intoxicated or stupefied adults

Virtually all manual strangulations are homicides.

3. Accidental Throttling

Theoretically possible but highly improbable and always suspicious. It can occur during unintentional circumstances such as:

Touching or grasping the throat during a demonstration of affection or intercourse
Physiological experiments

The mechanism is arrhythmia produced by stimulation of the carotid sinuses.

Autopsy Appearances

External Signs

Signs of asphyxia: facial congestion, cyanosis, petechial hemorrhages in face and eyes, protruding and bruised tongue
Evidence of struggle: injuries on face, chest, limbs
Raised body temperature at death

Injuries on the Neck

Bruises (ecchymoses) on front or sides of the neck, chiefly around and above the larynx
Pattern depends on whether one or both hands were used:
- One hand: single thumb bruise on one side + multiple oblique finger-pad bruises on the opposite side
- Both hands: bruising pattern reflects relative position of thumbs and fingers
- Thumb bruise is broader and deeper than finger bruises
Crescentic (curved) abrasions from fingernails - scratch from thumb nail is deeper and wider
Irregular distribution if the victim struggled and the assailant had to re-grip
Examination of nails of both victim and assailant is important (skin fragments, blood)

Internal Signs

Hemorrhage in soft tissues and neck muscles (extensive bruising)
Engorgement of tissues above the level of compression
Fracture of the larynx and thyroid cartilage (common)
Fracture of the hyoid bone - strongly suggestive of throttling
Fracture of the cricoid cartilage - almost exclusively seen in throttling (compared to other forms of asphyxia)
General signs of asphyxia internally

Key Distinguishing Feature

Cricoid cartilage fracture is almost exclusively found in throttling. Hyoid bone fracture is strongly suggestive of throttling.

The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 36th edition (2026)

Summary Table: Throttling vs. Other Forms of Strangulation

Feature	Throttling (Manual)	Ligature Strangulation
Method	Hands	Ligature/rope
Ligature mark	Absent	Present (transverse)
Finger/nail marks	Present	Absent
Hyoid fracture	Common	Less common
Thyroid cartilage fracture	Common	Less common
Manner of death	Almost always homicidal	Homicidal or ligature
Suicide possible?	No	Yes

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