Citation

Tzimas I, Bajanowski T, Pollak S, Trübner K, Thierauf A. Int. J. Legal Med. 2014; 128(2): 313-316.

Affiliation

Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45122, Essen, Germany, iliana.tzimas@uk-essen.de.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00414-013-0959-8

PMID

24429766

Abstract

Suicidal ligature strangulation is a rare event. The most important issue to solve in the investigation is whether it is a case of homicide or suicide. The characteristics of suicidal ligature strangulation are summarized by Koops and Brinkmann with the emphasis on the nature of the ligature instrument(s). In this article, we present two cases of self-strangulation with an almost identical modus operandi using gymnastics bands. The autopsy findings and the nature of the ligature in these cases are depicted and in good accordance with the described typical observations in suicidal cases. The importance of a broad medico-legal investigation is demonstrated.

Language: en