Medico-legal profile of hanging cases in rural region of Maharashtra: An Autopsy based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Violent deaths resulting from asphyxia chiefly includes hanging. Hanging may be suicidal, homicidal or accidental in nature. Suicide by hanging is the most common, accidental hanging is less common and homicidal hanging is still less common. A retrospective study was conducted at mortuary of SRTR Government Medical College, Ambajogai, Dist. Beed, Maharashtra, India, between the period 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 on all cases of hanging brought for post mortem examination where the cause of death was attributed to hanging. Data was collected with help of police inquest, post-mortem notes and forensic science lab reports. Results were obtained after tabulating and analysing data. Maximum deaths were reported (20 cases i.e. 33.89%) in 21-30 age group followed by (11 cases i.e. 18.64%) 51-60 years age group. The ligature material most commonly used was rope (59.32%). Type of knots was, fixed in 27 (45.76%) cases. The position of knot was mostly cases on posterior aspect of neck in 21 (35.59%). Direction of ligature mark was oblique in 57 (96.61%) cases. Ligature mark was above the level of thyroid cartilage in 52 (88.13%) cases. Dribbling of saliva was present in 25 (42.37%) cases. Peri-ligature subcutaneous haemorrhages were present in 16 (27.11%) cases. Fractured hyoid bone was seen in 1 (01.69%) case only. Type of suspension was complete in 45 (76.27%) cases. Manner of hanging was suicide in 56 (94.91%) cases.