Fracture of Upper Cervical Vertebrae Need Not Cause Death: A Case Report

Abstract

As quoted by many standard textbooks of Forensic Medicine, in cases of Judicial hanging, the cause of death is fracture of C2-C3 vertebra. Here, in our institute, PESIMSR, Kuppam, we have received a case of fall from height with fracture of C2 vertebra. The patient is alive with quadriplegia. There are also other articles in literature which state that cause of death in judicial hanging being other than fracture of cervical vertebra. In cases where the death in judicial hanging fracture of cervical vertebra is reported, the cause of death is complete or partial transection of the spinal cord. Usually either in suicidal or judicial hanging there is no fracture of cervical vertebra, even if present is not usually the cause of death. It is asphyxia or cerebral anoxia which is the cause of death. Since Asphyxia is more painful than death by transection of spinal cord, it is our suggestion to the State authorities to consider other painless forms of execution.