I am afraid I cannot help you here. Although I think I completely understood Dr. Baden’s opinion in the Epstein case from the SDNY lockup, in this Minnesota case, I do not have a clue. I do not remember ever hearing the term “mechanical asphyxiation” before, and in the present context its meaning is not at all clear to me.
Not that in my experience, pathologists are particularly gifted in dictating reports that include appropriate work choices. Trust me on that. Seen more than one poor bloke screwed over by the system as a result.
I looked up the term “mechanical asphyxiation” which the Baden team described as the cause of death. Here is what I found:
Mechanical asphyxia involves some physical force or physical abnormality that interferes with the uptake and/or delivery of oxygen. Most mechanical asphyxiants affect breathing or blood flow, the latter usually due to neck vessel or thoracic compression. This type of asphyxia is often considered a type of suffocation.
The brain is the organ most sensitive to lack of oxygen (as well as glucose) Death of brain cells occurs within 3-4 minutes of onset of lack of oxygen and/or glucose (hypoglycemia).
In the case of Floyd, both forms of mechanical asphyxia occurred. J. Alexander Kueng applied pressure on the lungs with force on the back and Derek Chauvin restricted blood flow to the brain with pressure on the neck.
After Dr Baden examined the death of Jeffrey Epstein, you would think he had a pretty good idea of what mechanical asphyxia was.