Histo-Morphological Features of Ligature Mark in Hanging - A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Background: Hanging is the most common method of suicidal death in India. All hangings are suicide, until otherwise it is proved contrary. The ligature mark on the person is the most critical discovery that will guide the investigation. The correlation of external and internal features of ligature mark will help us to establish the critical facts in cases of hanging.Objectives:1.To study various pattern in ligature marks in case of hanging in comparison with age, sex, type of ligature material used, type of hanging, level and colour of ligature mark.2.To study various histopathological features of skin in ligature mark in cases of hanging.Materials & Methods: It is a retrospective descriptive study with a study period of two years from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019. All compatible autopsies of hanging received during the study period were included in the study. The records of all the victims died due to hanging were collected from autopsy register maintained by the department of forensic medicine. Haematoxylin and eosin slides were retrieved from department of pathology and reviewed the microscopic findings in hanging cases. The data was entered into Microsoft excel spreadsheet and was analysed. The data was segregated with respect to age, sex, type of ligature material used, morphology and histopathological parameters.Results: A total of 79 cases of hanging were studied. Out of which, 57 (72%) were men and majority belong to 31 to 40 years (26.6 %). Most common gross findings were complete hanging (42%), ligature mark above thyroid cartilage (61%) and parchmentization (50%). Common histopathological findings were epidermal thinning (57%), dermal compression (56%), dermal congestion (36%), dermal hemorrhage (17%), inflammatory infiltrate (10%) and adnexal compression (24%). Out of 79 cases of hanging, 57 cases (72.1%) were reported as antemortem, 21 cases (26.6 %) as non- specific and opinion of one case was unable to establish as it did not have epidermis. Conclusion: The present study concluded that a detailed evaluation of the gross and histopathological findings of the ligature mark, if undertaken would be more conclusive in establishing the cause and manner of death to aid in the administration of justice.