Neck compression may have killed York University student from China: pathologist

TORONTO – A pathologist is telling a first-degree murder trial that a York University student from China may have died from what’s called mechanical asphyxiation, which could be caused by neck or chest compression.

Qian Liu, 23, was found dead April 15, 2011 in her off-campus basement apartment, mostly naked and face down on the floor.

Brian Dickson, who was a tenant in the same building, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, but his lawyer has told the jury he’ll be urging a finding of manslaughter.

Dr. Jeff Tanguay, who did the autopsy on Liu, is testifying at Dickson’s trial today and says he can’t arrive at a definitive cause of death with the pathological evidence alone, but the best overall explanation is mechanical asphyxia.

Tanguay says internal bruising, including on Liu’s triceps and a muscle on her left shoulder blade could be related to some sort of mechanical asphyxia.

He says other injuries included a bruise on her right temple, her tongue was clenched between her teeth, and bleeding in the muscles of Liu’s neck — though he says it’s possible that bleeding happened after death.