Autopsy study of Violent Asphyxial Deaths with Critical Analysis of Deaths due to Ligature strangulation: A two-year Retrospective study From Pune Region

Abstract

Mechanical asphyxia means flow of air into the body is interfered through some physical impediments. Violent deaths resulting chiefly from asphyxia includes death due to hanging, strangulation, suffocation and drowning. The purpose of this study was to analyze recent trends related to violent asphyxial deaths with critical analysis of deaths due to ligature strangulation in the Pune region of Maharashtra and to compare them with other studies. In the present study, 11984 medicolegal autopsies conducted between January 2014 to December 2015 at B.J. Government Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India were analyzed retrospectively; in that in total 863 (7.2%) were asphyxial deaths with males (69.06%) were more commonly affected than females. Highest number of deceased belonged to age group of 21 to 30 years. Hanging was most common type of asphyxial death, followed by Drowning and Ligature strangulation. As deaths due to ligature strangulation were further analyzed, majority were homicidal deaths (92%) with males affected more than females and revenge was most common motive followed by sudden grave provocation and monetary issues. In postmortem findings in deaths due to ligature strangulation; Hematoma within neck muscles and posterior pharyngeal wall was uniform finding whilecongestion of face, Subconjunctival hemorrhages and hemorrhages in subcutaneous plane were present in majority of cases.