Citation

Allouche M, Banasr A, Gloulou F, Zhioua M, Hamdoun M. J. Med. Leg. Droit Med. 2007; 50(6-7): 336-342.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Masson)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Hanging is one of the most common suicide methods. We prospectively colligated, over a period of 20 months, all suicide deaths by hanging with the goal of establishing the epidemiological profile of the victims and identifying the principle cervical lesions observed during the external examination and the autopsy. The victims were mostly male (82.8 %), and young in age (mean age = 37.7 years old). The victims committed suicide at their homes in 72.4 % of cases principally using a rope noose (79.3 %), which they attached to an iron beam (42.5 %). Full suspension was as frequent (49.4 %) as incomplete suspension (50,6 %). Hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage lesions were observed in 28.7 % and 24.1 % of cases respectively, mainly in full suspension hanging and after 30 years old.

Language: fr

Keywords

adult; human; Epidemiology; suicide; Hanging; Autopsy; female; male; autopsy; hanging; hyoid bone; article; major clinical study; larynx cartilage; prospective study; Victims