Study of Deaths due to Hanging on Autopsied Cases at Mortuary Government Medical College Hospital Jammu – A Retrospective Study

Authors

  • Mohd Amjad Bhat
  • Vinka Maini
  • Sandhya Arora

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v17i2.19186

Keywords:

Ligature, Strangulation, Asphyxia, Thyroid cartilage, Hyoid bone

Abstract

Background:Hanging is a form of asphyxia caused by external pressure on upper airwaysderived from a band
tightened by the gravitational weight of the body. It could by suicidal or homicidal.
Method: 50 dead bodies (35 males and 15 females) aged between 20-70 years old who died due to hanging were
studied. The autopsies were carried out to rule out genderdifferences,pattern ofligature marks on neck, ligature
material used, fractures of hyoid bone or thyroid cartilage in the neck, significant findings in dissection of neck
caused by death due to hanging, differences between antemortemand postmortem hanging, associated injuries
in hanging etc.
Results: 35 (70%) males, 15 (30%) females dead bodies due to hanging 19 (38%) were summer, 20 (40%) in rainy,
11 (22%) in winter season, 14 (28%) outdoor, 36 (72%) were outdoor hanging deaths, 36 (72%) ligatures were
above the thyroid cartilage, 9 (18%) at the level of cartilage, 5 (10%) below the level of thyroid cartilage. The
significant findings of neck dissection were 30 (60%) in the present study.
Conclusion: The present study of deaths due to hanging will certainly help the medico-legal experts to
differentiate betweensuicidalandhomicidal hanging.

Author Biographies

  • Mohd Amjad Bhat

    Senior Resident/Registrar, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Government
    MedicalCollegeHospital Jammu-180001

  • Vinka Maini

    Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicineand Toxicology, Government MedicalCollege, Kathua-184101

  • Sandhya Arora

    Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Government Medical College Hospital Jammu

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Published

2023-04-05

How to Cite

Study of Deaths due to Hanging on Autopsied Cases at Mortuary Government Medical College Hospital Jammu – A Retrospective Study. (2023). Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 17(2), 104-107. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v17i2.19186