An Epidemiological Study of Hanging Cases Brought to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital Mortuary for Medico Legal Autopsy- A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Hanging is a most common means of suicide. In this study during the period from July 2012 to June 2013, 11.40% of the death was due to hanging. The male to female ratio was 2.29:1 with 38.92% of the victim belongs to the age group 20–29 followed by 30–39 (18.04%). 54.11% of the victim belongs to lower class. About 25.63% of victims were mainly daily labourer followed by house wife 16.77%. Most of the victims were under matric 26.90% then illiterate 17.72%. Higher incident of hanging case was among married individual (61.07%). 87.03% cases were mainly Hindu followed by 11.08% of Muslim community. 50.63% cases occurred in the urban area. Majority of cases 85.75% occurs in the house and ropes (cotton) were commonly used ligature materials 24.05%). Majority of the knots were present behind the left mastoid (35.75%) followed by below the occiput (28.16%). 80% cases ligature was situated above the thyroid cartilage and 15% cases ligature was present over the thyroid cartilage and 5% cases ligature was present below the thyroid cartilage.