A study of various patterns of ligature mark produced in cases of hanging brought to the mortuary, GGH, Guntur

Abstract

Background: Amongst all form of asphyxial death, hanging is most frequently encountered by forensic experts. Easy availability and presence of wide range of ligature materials at home itself makes hanging a preferred method of committing suicide over other methods. Findings over neck vary from case to case depending upon various factors like position of knot over neck, composition of ligature material, duration of suspension etc. Aim & Objectives: The aim of the present study is to identify the various pattern of ligature mark produced in cases of hanging brought to the mortuary. Methodology: The present prospective study was carried out in the Department of Forensic Medicine &Toxicology, Guntur Medical College& GGH Hospital, Guntur, during the period from Feb to December 2017 and includes a total of 40 cases of death due to Hanging, brought to the mortuary of the hospital for medico-legal postmortem examination. Results: In the present study, Majority of cases observed were young adults in third decade i.e., 21-30 years – 20 (50%) followed by individuals in fourth decade i.e., 41-50years – 07(17.5%). Most of the victims belong to middle and lower socio economic strata - 15(37.5%) and 25 (62.5%) respectively. In the present study most of the victims belongs to urban 28 (70%) areas than the rural areas 12 (30%). In our study chunni was the major ligature material for hanging observed in 16 (40%) cases. Postmortem findings revealed that majority of cases showed that bluish colour nails, lips and earlobes. Microscopic examination - breaking, wrinkling and compression of skin along with micro haemorrhages and inflammatory changes in sub- cutaneous tissues were notified. Conclusion: The correlation of external, internal and microscopic findings leads to easy formulation of final opinion these cases. It also, to some extent helps to delineate antemortem cases of hanging with postmortem cases.