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ISSN 0971-0973
Abstract
This present study was performed on cases of death due to compression of neck by ligature
material due to hanging and strangulation brought for post-mortem examination at mortuary of Sir
Takhtasinhji General Hospital and Govt. Medical College, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India during January 2011
to December 2011. A total of 1044 post-mortem examinations were conducted, out of which 90 cases
were of compressed neck by ligature. Out of them 86 cases were of hanging and 4 cases were of ligature
strangulation. We observed that dribbling of saliva was present in some cases of hanging but not present
in any case of ligature strangulation. Similarly fracture of hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage were present in
cases of hanging while not present in any case of ligature strangulation. Larynx, trachea and cervical
vertebra were not fractured in any case of hanging and ligature strangulation. All cases of hanging were
suicidal while three cases of ligature strangulation were homicidal and one case was accidental.
Key Words: Hanging, Ligature strangulation, Hyoid Bone, Thyroid Cartilage, Compression of neck
Hence authors have made a prompt and
sincere attempt to study external and internal
features in the neck in cases of hanging and
ligature strangulation.
Introduction:
Violent asphyxial deaths is one of the
most important cause for unnatural deaths
among which hanging and ligature strangulation
are commonly encountered in the professional
life of forensic expert during day to day autopsy.
Deaths resulting from hanging and
ligature strangulation show features amongst
which the ligature mark at the neck is
considered
to
be
decisive.
However
characteristic finding, the ligature mark, found
around
the neck
in both hanging
and
strangulation creates doubt in many cases.
It is easy to diagnose hanging and
ligature strangulation when one finds the
classical features. However all features are
seldom present together. The application of
pressure on the neck often results in findings,
which are quite variable. A proper assessment
of various post-mortem findings is therefore
necessary under such circumstances. Apart
from the typical ligature mark, atypical ligature
marks are also seen leading to lot of curiosity in
the mind of autopsy surgeon during the day-today postmortem examination.
Observation:
In the present study, we found that
ligature mark was obliquely placed in all cases
of hanging and above the level of thyroid
cartilage in 72.09% cases and at the level of
thyroid cartilage in 27.91% cases, while in all
cases of ligature strangulation the mark was
transverse and below thyroid cartilage. Out of 90
cases of neck compression, in internal
appearance of underlying soft tissues of neck
were pale, white and glistening in all cases of
Corresponding Author:
rd
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ISSN 0971-0973
Authors
1
2
3
4
5
6
Sarangi et al2
Chormunge Patil et al4
Tripude B H et al5
Sheikh M I.et al6
Meera et al7
Present study
Discussion:
In the present study of total 90 cases of
neck compression by ligature, 86 cases
(95.56%) were of hanging and 4 cases (4.44%)
were of ligature strangulation.
Dribbling of saliva was found in 33
cases (38.37%) of hanging and not found in any
cases of ligature strangulation. The findings are
consistent with those of Ashok Kumar Samanta
et al [1] who observed 32.31% cases with
dribbling of saliva. Sarangi M.P. [2] found
dribbling of saliva in only 14 cases (11%) of
hanging and did not find in any cases of ligature
strangulation. Dribbling of saliva is sure sign of
hanging having taken place during life. Paliwal P
K. et al [3] with the help of investigative and
reconstructive Forensic Medicine to decodify the
mystery of death by saliva found in the form of
drop over the lower lip as observed in the
photographs taken from the scene of crime, they
opined it was ante-mortem hanging.
Bleeding from mouth and nose was
seen only in one case of hanging while it was
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3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Conclusion:
Dribbling of saliva present in case of
hanging while rarely [10] in case of ligature
strangulation. Post mortem findings like bleeding
from mouth and nose, cyanosis, involuntary
discharge of urine, fecal matter, semen on glans
penis, periligature injuries, fracture of hyoid
bone, thyroid cartilage, larynx and trachea in
cases of hanging and strangulation are nonspecific
and
variable
depending
upon
composition of ligature material, force applied on
neck and its duration. However either singly or in
combination these findings helpful when ligature
mark creates element of doubt in cases of
hanging and ligature strangulation.
It can be concluded that presence of
other bodily injuries suggest only manner of
death
not
about
hanging
or
ligature
strangulation. In doubtful cases final opinion will
be made depending upon circumstantial
evidence, crime scene investigation and autopsy
findings.
10.
Hanging
Dribbling of saliva
Bleeding from mouth and nose
Facial congestion and cyanosis
Discharge of Urine
Faecal discharge
Semen on glans penis
Injuries to other body parts
33 (38.37%)
1 (1.16%)
30 (34.88%)
12 (13.95%)
11 (12.79%)
10 (11.62%)
1 (1.16%)
Ligature
strangulation
0
4 (100%)
4 (100%)
0
1 (25%)
0
4 (100%)
Hanging
Ligature
strangulation
14 (16.28%) 1 (25%)
2 (2.33%) 4 (100%)
References:
1.
ISSN 0971-0973
Type
of
Neck
Compression
Hanging
Ligature strangulation
Manner of Death
Suicidal
Accidental
86
0
0(100%)
1 (25%)
Homicidal
0
3 (75%)
Table 3
Distribution of Injuries to Bones and Cartilages of Neck
Type of Neck Compression
Hanging
Ligature strangulation
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