Autopsy based study of hanging and strangulation deaths in South Kerala

Abstract

Introduction The ligature material used for hanging is one of the important factors that determine the type of ligature mark or the pressure abrasion. The various structures damaged in hanging and strangulation include the soft tissue like skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia, muscle, blood vessels, lymph nodes, the bony and cartilaginous tissues like the hyoid bone and larynx. Materials and Methods: The medico-legal findings characteristics of victims of hanging and strangulation were the key variables of the study. There were total 75 asphyxial fatalities, out of which 70 were caused by hanging and 5 by strangulation, were examined. Results: According to the study's findings, The dribbling of saliva was found in 32.9% of cases of hanging deaths whereas, in 67.1 % of cases, there was no dribbling of saliva. The tongue was bitten and protruded in 58.6% of the cases. Commonest ligature material used in hanging was Mundu. Ligature marks from hanging were usually clearly defined, higher than the thyroid cartilage, discontinuous, and free of internal neck injuries, which was different from that of strangulation. Gross internal neck injuries were present in 11.4% of cases of hanging.