Forensic Analysis of Suicidal Hanging Cases: Study in a District Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Hanging is a very common method of suicide in Bangladesh as well as around the globe. The rate of suicide cases by hanging is increasing daily in Bangladesh. Suicide by hanging means killing oneself intentionally by suspending themselves from an anchor point by a ligature or by jumping from a height with a noose around the neck. As hanging is a simple method that does not require any complicated techniques, and the materials are also easy to come by, many choose this as their suicide method. The objective of this study was to observe the demography of hanging cases, its distribution according to age group, sex, and common ligature materials used by victims, observe post-mortem findings, and in this way, try to identify the causes and develop the preventive measures that are essential to reduce death due to hanging. Methods: This was a retrospective study done on the basis of the 3rd copy of postmortem reports preserved at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Pabna Medical College Hospital, Pabna, Bangladesh from January 2018 to December 2018 for the period of 1 year with proper permission from the autopsy surgeon. Result: 72% of the suicide victims were female, and 53% of those 115 victims were married. Most of the victims were from the age group of 21-30 years. Marital disharmony was the biggest common cause. The commonly used ligature material was Orna (dupatta). Conclusion: The number of deaths by suicide is on a rise, and to reduce this, a well-designed program is needed. This can help identify the causative factors f suicide by hanging and could help in preventing suicide cases.