A Study of Postmortem Findings of Asphxial Deaths Due to Hanging in a Semi Urban Region of Karnataka

Authors

  • Gopal B.K
  • Subin B. George
  • Roopak S.N
  • Viswakanth B

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v17i2.19177

Keywords:

Violent asphyxia, Hanging, Autopsy, salivary stains, thyroid cartilage, hyoid bone.

Abstract

Hanging, a method of deliberate & intentional self-harm amounts for a major proportion of autopsies which
medicolegal experts encounter in their clinical tenure at various hospitals pan India. A retrospective study was
conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Kanachur Institute of Medical Sciences,
Mangalore from Jan 2016 to June 2022, with an objective to study the post mortem findings in autopsy cases
of hanging. Out of 306 autopsies, 14.38 % cases were that of hanging with a female to male ratio being 3:1.
Most cases were atypical (81.81%,36) and partial hanging (72.72%, 32) with the ligature mark situated above
the thyroid cartilage. 86.36 % of cases (38) had dried salivary stain at the angle of mouth and one case showed
involuntary discharge. The incidence of fracture of hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage not observed in any cases

Author Biographies

  • Gopal B.K

    Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Kempegowda
    Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

  • Subin B. George

    Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical College, Kolenchery, Ernakulam, Kerala, India

  • Roopak S.N

    Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

  • Viswakanth B

    Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Kanachur Institute of Medical
    Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India

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Published

2023-04-05

How to Cite

A Study of Postmortem Findings of Asphxial Deaths Due to Hanging in a Semi Urban Region of Karnataka. (2023). Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 17(2), 60-63. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v17i2.19177