Abstract
BackgroundHangman’s fracture (Fracture of cervical vertebrae) in hanging is usually described into the context of judicial type of hanging where the individual is dropped from a calculated height with sub-mental or sub-aural position of ligature knot. Such a long drop with typical upper cervical vertebral fracture is a rare entity in a case of suicidal hanging.Case presentationWe have described such a case where an average built deceased weighing 62 kg hang himself with a nylon rope by jumping from a branch of tree with a drop length of 6.3 m, which was sufficiently long enough to cause soft tissue injuries, transection of larynx along with fracture and dislocation of cervical spine at C2-C3 level contrary to the fact that position of ligature knot was in sub-occipital area. Hence, this rare case is discussed with reference to the probable mechanism involved in causation of such internal injuries.ConclusionIn our case of long drop hanging, we found fracture of cervical spine when ligature knot was placed at sub-occipital position which is a rare autopsy finding. We also noticed deep laceration of skin and transection of larynx as extremely rare finding in hanging caused by flexible and blunt nylon rope used as ligature material.
Highlights
Hangman’s fracture (Fracture of cervical vertebrae) in hanging is usually described into the context of judicial type of hanging where the individual is dropped from a calculated height with sub-mental or sub-aural position of ligature knot
In our case of long drop hanging, we found fracture of cervical spine when ligature knot was placed at sub-occipital position which is a rare autopsy finding
We noticed deep laceration of skin and transection of larynx as extremely rare finding in hanging caused by flexible and blunt nylon rope used as ligature material
Summary
Ethics approval and consent to participate Consent for publishing data collected during medico-legal autopsy has been accorded by investigating officer and relatives of the deceased. Institutional ethics committee of IGGMC, Nagpur had reviewed our case paper and approved it as there is no disclosure of identity of any individual. Consent for publication In our case paper, images used are entirely unidentifiable and data described in manuscript does not disclose identity of any individual. Consent for publication is taken from investigating officer and relatives of the deceased. Author details 1Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Raipur, AIIMS TATIBANDH, GE ROAD, Raipur, Chhattisgarh C.G-492099, India.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
