Deaths allegedly caused by the use of ``choke holds'' (shime-waza)
Original Editor's Note: This article by Dr. Koiwai was circulated in several Judo publications in the 1980's and is reprinted with permission. It has been modified from the one published in Journal of Forensic Sciences, March 1987. (Due to the technical medical terminology, the autopsy findings have been dropped from this reprint, however, it still includes the "cause of death" determined by the autopsies. References are also not included due to space limitations.) Address requests for a complete reprint or additional information to: Dr. E. K Koiwai, M.D., 11 Forrester Rd. Horsham, PA 19044.

ABSTRACT: Shime-waza or the "choke hold," when property applied, should not cause death; therefore, its primary purpose should be to subdue violent suspects. When properly applied, the choke hold causes unconsciousness in 10-20 seconds. No fatalities as a result of shime-waza have been reported in the sport of judo since its inception in 1882. Among the methods of "control holds" taught to law enforcement officers is the choke hold similar or identical to shime-waza used in judo. Using the choke hold, officers may afford themselves maximum safety while subjecting the suspect to a minimum possibility of injury. The author has reviewed 14 fatalities with autopsy findings where death was allegedly caused by the use of choke holds.


The "choke holds" known as shime-waza used in the sport of judo have been taught and used by law enforcement officers to subdue violent suspects. Recently, however, there have been reports of deaths allegedly caused by the use of choke holds, which have led to class action suits against its use from local to state to the U.S. Supreme Court. Apparently, the use of choke holds was thought to be a safe and harmless way of controlling and subduing violent suspects without the use of weapons. The use of choke holds or shime-waza in judo is similar or identical to the techniques used by the law enforcement officers.
Investigations have shown that no deaths had occurred by these techniques since the sport of judo was founded by Professor Jigoro Kano in 1882 in Tokyo, Japan. A survey made by this author in 1979, based on a questionnaire to all International Judo Federation (IJF) country members, revealed that although there were 19 judo fatalities, none was due to shime-waza.
The statistics in the use of shime-waza have been kept by the International Judo Federation on World Class Judo Championships, Olympics (Munich-1972, Montreal-1976, Moscow-1980, and Los Angeles-1984), World Judo Championships (Mexico City-1969, Ludwigshafen-1971, Lausanne-1973, Vienna-1975, Paris-1979, and Maastricht- 1981), and the Junior World Judo Championships in Rio de Janiero-1974. Of the 2198 techniques used to score, 97 were shime-waza (4.41%). No fatalities were recorded.
As of 1985, 113 countries are members of the IJF. All these federations have numerous tournaments at local, regional, national, and international levels where shime-waza is used.
In 1981, a class action suit was brought against the City of Los Angeles regarding fatalities allegedly caused by the "bar-arrn" and carotid artery control holds. The control holds used are similar to the shime-waza used in judo. Since no death has been reported in the sport of judo. other studies on cases of deaths allegedly caused by the use of choke holds had to be investigated.
Case 1 - 5/75
The strong decedent, who was a black male, age, 25-30, 111.4 kg, height 195.6 cm, resisted violently, The two officers used their batons and physical holds (choke) to handcuff and place leg restraints on the decedent. He was transported to the police station where on arrival no pulse could be found. He was then rushed to the hospital where doctors could not find any vital signs.
The reported cause of death was asphyxiation as a result of manual compression of neck.

Case 2 - 8/75
The decedent, who was a white male age 21, 52.3 kg, height 185.4 cm, was reported to have taken lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) four days before his death. The arresting officer applied "restraint" on the man's neck. The decedent was transported to the police station in a convulsive state, then collapsed and did not respond to stimuli.
The reported cause of death was not only mechanical asphyxia but also by compression of the vascular circulation to the brain.

Case 3 - 11/75
An altercation ensued with the decedent, who was a black male age 28, 80.9 kg, height 177.8 cm, and the police. The officers tried to apply an approved type of choke hold and the decedent became unconscious at the scene.
The reported cause of death was acute cardiorespiratory arrest as a result of compression of the neck. The other significant condition was acute heroin-morphine intoxication.

Case 4 - 10/76
The suspect, who was a black male age 19, 72.7 kg, height 181.6 cm, was in custody of the police as a possible case of angel dust inhalation. The arresting officer used a neck hold to restrain the suspect. He had cardiorespiratory arrest in the back seat of the police car. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was instituted. The paramedics found the decedent in agonal rhythm with vomitus in his mouth. CPR used in the field and at the emergency room was not effective. The autopsy findings were:
The reported cause of death was asphyxiation to neck restraint procedure for abnormal behavior associated with phencyclidine (PCP) use. Other significant conditions were aspiration of vomitus and sickle cell disorder.

Case 5 - 7/77
After being legally arrested for terroristic threats and creating a turmoil, this white male, age 25, 71.8 kg, height 180.3 cm, was placed in the rear of the police car. He kicked out the rear window, exited through the broken window, and continued to kick and strike at the officer. The decedent was subdued by an officer who, using his flashlight as a choke stick, grabbed the subject about the neck and tried to choke him while bringing him down to the ground. The subject continued to fight; consequently, the officer rolled him over on his stomach and continued to keep "hold" on him until the subject was handcuffed. The "hold" on him was repeated when the subject started to fight again. Finally, the subject was placed in a police wagon, with wrists