An Analysis of Fractures of Hyoid Bone and Thyroid Cartilage in Deaths Due to Hanging

Abstract

Hanging is one of the most common unnatural deaths due to mechanical asphyxia encountered in the mortuary. The present study was undertaken with the aim of studying the incidence & frequency of fracture in hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage in deaths due to hanging in the Department of FMT, RIMS, Ranchi, prospectively from 1st March, 2013 to 30th May, 2014. Highest number of deaths due to hanging was in the age group of 21–30 years. In maximum cases, the nature of suspension was of Complete & Atypical type. Most commonly used ligature was Jute Rope and Dupatta. In majority cases, the ligature mark was above the thyroid cartilage followed by at and above the thyroid cartilage and only few cases the ligature mark was at or overriding the thyroid cartilage. In maximum cases, the position of knot was present at occipital region of the neck, followed by left mastoid region. In majority of cases, the ligature mark was prominent and discontinuous. Hyoid fracture was found in only 5.2% cases. There was no case with thyroid cartilage fracture.